Rehabilitation of the communicatively impaired

ABSTRACT

The severe communicative impairments that accompany medical conditions can have a profound psychosocial impact on not only the patient but also his or her family, friends, and the medical staff. Recent developments in technology and a change in the philosophy behind rehabilitation have offered greater treatment alternatives. The nature of these communicative disorders as well as methods for assessment and treatment, including the use of augmentative devices, are described and the role of a multidisciplinary approach in both hospital and home care is emphasized.