We have said that Conversation TherAppy can be used to target nearly any speech, language, or cognitive goal, but how is that possible? There are just 10 question types in the app, right?  Of course, but those 10 questions aren’t the only goals you can target. Let’s take a look at how to use the app with a variety of disorders, populations, and goals beyond the typical language goals the questions target directly. You can also read the Info screen in the app for more ideas on how to use each question.

Aphasia: This app is perfect for aphasia group and individual therapy. Use the Describe question for rich stimuli for Response Elaboration Therapy. Many of the Decide questions require only a single word response, selecting one of the words given as an option, allowing people with aphasia to assert their choices more easily. The Brainstorm questions work on generative naming beyond the simple category level. The goal of using the app could be to self-cue when having word-finding difficulty by tracing the first letter of the word or using a synonym – any question can be used to elicit spontaneous speech to practice strategy use. When people with aphasia move to the sentence and conversation level of therapy, it can sometimes be difficult to come up with things to talk about. This app will be your go-to tool for higher-level therapy.

Fluency, Articulation, Dysarthria & Apraxia: Many people with motor speech sound disorders are able to produce clear speech on repetition or reading tasks because they’re focusing on the speech and don’t have to think about what to say. When you move them into spontaneous speech, the added cognitive load of generating the content reveals weaknesses in their speech. Use Conversation TherAppy to start with easier questions (Describe, Define, Remember, Decide, Feel) to master clear spontaneous speech, then move up to harder questions with increased demands on cognitive-communication (Infer, Predict, Narrate, Evaluate, Brainstorm).

Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Clients with right hemisphere stroke (R CVA) and early dementia are the most likely to have goals focused on the question types in the app. These clients often have difficulty with inferences, making predictions, organizing a coherent evaluation, and making a logical brainstorm. Use the questions as-is or set a goal for the client to use a strategy before answering.

AAC Users: Clients who use AAC are often quite good at the basics – requesting, small talk, and answering biographical questions. What do they think about climate change? What advantages do they see in having a pet? These are great opportunities to find vocabulary on the device or be creative in expressing oneself given a limited set of words.

Pragmatics: Set a goal that the user will make eye contact while answering or will wait his/her turn before giving an answer, then use any question to score if the user met that goal. The Feel questions ask about how the person in the photo or the user might feel given the situation, encouraging placing oneself in another’s shoes to build empathy, a common goal in treating clients with ASD. Another pragmatic goal may be to take the opposite point of view. Use the Decide and Evaluate questions to choose a side, and then defend the other side for improved flexibility in thinking. The Infer questions are divided into two types – how do we know what we know and why do people do certain things.  Both are essential for following conversation and making appropriate comments in daily life. Even the Define question can be used with the goal of inhibition, focusing on the client NOT using the word in the definition – it’s harder than it sounds!

Safety & Problem Solving: There are over 50 safety and problem-solving photos in this app, giving you plenty to discuss with rehab clients and other life-skills therapy situations. The questions around these pictures often ask about identifying a problem, solving a problem, preventing a problem, the cause of a problem, and experience with that problem. Gain valuable insight into a client’s safety awareness by using this category of photos.

Narratives: The Narrate question is like an entire app, all to itself. Use each picture or topic as a story starter to encourage verbal or written narrative formation. Use your Story Grammar Marker or other narrative system to develop a well-formed story. Project the image on a big screen to have a large group see the photo and take the time to come up with a story.

Just make a note in the User Profile to know what you’re scoring when you press correct/cued/incorrect on each item and you’ll have data for any goal!

Not convinced? Try Conversation TherAppy Lite to see for yourself!