Everything in Its Place: Experienced Facilitator Perspectives on the Environment and Materials for Aphasia Groups

Despite the popularity of aphasia groups and evidence to support their positive impact on rehabilitation, there is little specific research that focuses on the features of these groups. In this study, we aimed to investigate experienced facilitators' perceptions concerning two related elements of aphasia groups: the built environments in which groups meet and the tools that facilitators use when setting up and running groups.

We interviewed 13 experienced facilitators and used qualitative content analysis to understand their experience and perspectives.

Through our analysis, we identified a network of categories that detailed aspects of the built environment as well as materials and tools that facilitators described as important for aphasia groups. These categories included components of the interior, furniture, positioning participants in the physical space, technology-based resources, low-tech resources, and making communication supports accessible. We identified additional embedded subcategories that provided further detail concerning these aspects of aphasia groups.

Facilitators' perspectives on the environment and resources for aphasia groups indicate that they attend to creating a context that is comfortable, safe, and engenders interaction. Their descriptions provide valuable insights for clinicians who are attempting to start a group. Furthermore, our results can inform future research analyzing the impact of the various elements that practicing facilitators design and use.

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.32582007.