A Case Study of the Communication Pattern and Participation in Life of a 51-Year Aphasic Adult in Natural Setting

Ojinga Gideon Omiunu

Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, University of Ibadan, Unicorn Academics and Organisation Developmental Research Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/oalib.1100444                

Abstract

Aphasia is an impairment of language ability which results in a language disorder. Aphasic (Aged) patients are believed to have bad communication pattern and also low participation in life. This study examined communication use and participation in life for aphasic adults in natural setting. The study employed the case study research design which involves the use of a 51-year-old aphasic patient. The study area was Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The purposive and convenience sampling method was used, which include the purposive selection of the aphasic adult patient. Two major instruments used for this study are interview and discussion. Data obtained were analysed qualitatively. The result showed that, the aphasic patient has major deviant problems in the substitution of sound /‘p’/ for /‘b’/ and also making incomplete statements, which produce a confusion between the aphasic patient and the listeners. In conclusion, the aged aphasic patient under investigation does differ from the existing ones, specifically, expressive aphasia as there was slight difference in his communication patterns and life participation seems also slightly different from that of the aged non-aphasic. In addition, his aphasic condition is not as high as others born with it.

Keywords

Aphasia, Participation in Life, Communication Pattern, Aphasic Patients

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Eadie, T.L. (2001) The ICIDH-2: Theoretical and Clinical Implications for Speech-Language Pathology. Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 25, 181-200.
[2]	Threats, T.T. (2000) The World Health Organization’s Revised Classification: What Does It Mean for Speech-Language Pathology? Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 8, 13-18.
[3]	Masdeu, J.C. (2000) Aphasia. Archives of Neurology, 57, 892-895. http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archneur.57.6.892
[4]	Mayo Clinic Staff (2011) Aphasia: Treatments and Drugs. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aphasia/DS00685/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
[5]	Reinhartsen, D. and Pierce, P. (1998) Developing Communication Abilities.
[6]	Lyon, J.G. (1992) Communication Use and Participation in Life for Adults with Aphasia in Natural Settings. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1, 7-14.
[7]	Feyereisen, P. (1991) Communicative Behaviour in Aphasia. Aphasiology, 5, 323-333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02687039108248533
[8]	Chapey, R., Duchan, J.F., Elman, R.J., Garcia, L.J., Kagan, A., Lyon, J. and Mackie, N.S. (2012) Life Participation Approach to Aphasia: A Statement of Values for the Future. Life Participation Approach to Aphasia Project Group.
[9]	Lund, M.L. and Lexell, J. (2009) Relationship between Participation in Life Situations and Life Satisfaction in Persons with Late Effects of Polio. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Bethesda.
[10]	Altschuler, E.L., Multari, A., Hirstein, W. and Ramachandran, V.S. (2006) Situational Therapy for Wernicke’s Aphasia. Medical Hypotheses, 67, 713-716. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2005.10.035
[11]	Kolb, B. and Whishaw, I.Q. (2003) Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. Worth Publishers, New York, 502, 505, 511.
[12]	Thomson Healthcare, Inc. (2011) Health Reference Center Academic. Retrieved 26 Feb. (2012). Template: “Aphasia”. CareNotes.
[13]	Altschuler, E.L., Multari, A., Hirstein, W. and Ramachandran, V.S. (2006) Situational Therapy for Wernicke’s Aphasia. Medical Hypotheses, 67, 713-716. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2005.10.035
[14]	Elman, R.J. (2000) Language Disorders in Adults Grand Rounds: Life Participation Approaches to Aphasia. http://www.aphasiacenter.net/asha2000_lpaa_handouts.html
[15]	Eadie, T.L. (2001) The ICIDH-2: Theoretical and Clinical Implications for Speech-Language Pathology. Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 25, 181-200.
[16]	Threats, T.T. (2000) The World Health Organization’s Revised Classification: What Does It Mean for Speech-Language Pathology? Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 8, 13-18.
[17]	Kolb, B. and Whishaw, I.Q. (2003) Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology. 6th Edition, Worth Publishers, New York, 502, 505, 511.
[18]	Slvievert.com (2010). Aphasia. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:eJ-VsBr99q8J: http://sylvievert.com/ReadingMaterial/Aphasia.pdf%2BAphasia+can+also+be+divided+into+primary+and+ secondary+aphasia&hl=en-NG&gbv=2&&ct=clnk
[19]	Reinhartsen, D. and Pierce, P. (1998) Developing Communication Abilities. In Pierce, P., Ed., Baby Power: A Guide for Families for Using Assistive Technology With Their Infants and Toddlers. NC Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, 1994.