Social model aphasia therapy

Abstract

Aphasia therapy, as we have shown, is founded almost exclusively in an individual pathology model of disability. We have also demonstrated, however, mainly by describing developments at the Aphasia Centre — North York in Canada, that it is possible to orientate intervention to the removal of social barriers. In this chapter we explore the case for change and the implications of adopting a social model mind set. We are concerned with both what is needed and how it can best be achieved. We start by considering the arguments against individual pathology-based professional practice. We then review the individual and social models of disability as they apply to aphasia therapy, and focus on professional practice, the issue of resources, the working environment of speech and language therapists and research.