Effective Home Practice for Semantic-Based Anomia Therapy A Guide for Margaret

Subject Name : Medical Sciences

Assessment 1: Home Practice Instructions for Margaret- Semantic-Based Anomia Therapy of Flurie et al. (2020)

Dear Margaret and Jim,

To support Margaret's language therapy, we will use a semantic-based approach to maintain her ability to retrieve words for as long as possible. Jim, kindly follow the steps given below for your home practice sessions:

Target Words: We have selected five important words for Margaret (Family, Book, Bike, Piano and Clock). These words have been chosen based on their relevance and importance in her daily life.
Therapy Stimuli: Please familiarise Margaret with these target words. Use the attached pictures as therapy stimuli. Encourage her to look at the pictures and recall the associated words.
Session Plan
Location of practice up a focused, distraction-free space with essential therapy materials, integrating elements from her daily routine and activities for engaging and effective practice.
Begin by showing Margaret one of the target word pictures.
Ask Margaret to try and name the word. If she is unable to do so, proceed to the next step.
Provide a semantic cue related to the word. For example, for the word "Book", you can say, "You use this to read. What is it?"
If naming is still not successful, provide a phonological cue. For example, for the word "Book", you can say, "It starts with the sound 'B.' What is it?"
If Margaret cannot recall the word, say the target word and provide a semantic feature profile. For example- Word: Book
Use: A book is used for reading. It contains written or printed information, stories, or knowledge.
Action: People open books to read them. They flip pages to progress through the content.

Properties

Pages: A book consists of multiple pages bound together. These pages can be made of paper or, in some cases, digital on a screen.
Cover: Books have a front and back cover that protects the pages. Covers can be made of various materials like hardcover or paperback.
Location: Books can be found in different places:
Libraries: A place where many books are kept for people to borrow and read.
Bookstores: Shops that sell books, allowing people to purchase them.
Association: Books are associated with knowledge, learning, and entertainment. They may be related to particular genres, such as fantasy, non-fiction, fiction, or education.

(During the practice sessions, remember to be encouraging and patient.)

Repeating Semantic Features: Request that Margaret reiterate the features you have given.
Errorless Learning: Using this method, Margaret will eventually be directed to the right response, even if she has trouble remembering a word. She has a better memory as a result.

For example, if you were discussing the word "Book," you would say

Jim: Margaret, a book is something we use for reading. It has pages with information, stories, or knowledge. What is a book used for?
Margaret: A book is used for reading.
Jim: That's right! And where can you find a book?
Margaret: You can find a book in libraries, bookstores, and at home.

(This method helps reinforce the memory of the word and ensures that Margaret associates the correct meaning with it.)

Frequency of Practice: Engaging in this therapy at least three times a week is recommended, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. Consistency is critical to maintaining progress.
Patience and Encouragement: Remember to be patient and supportive during these sessions. Encourage Margaret to take her time and praise her efforts.

TARGET WORDS

Family-This word is crucial as it relates to her relationships with her husband's mother and her connections with her Japanese host family. She must be able to discuss and connect with her loved ones effectively.

Books are a significant part of Margaret's life as she reads to her mother with macular degeneration. Being able to name and discuss books is important for her.

Clock- Given her difficulties with telling time and managing appointments, this word is essential in her daily life.