Speech and Language Therapy - The Aphasia Outreach Module

In 2005/2006 a Service Learning module was designed for the undergraduate Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) curriculum and NUI Galway. SLT students are trained as conversation partners and matched with people with aphasia living in the local community. Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder caused by brain damage. It is characterised by an impairment of language modalities speaking, listening, reading and writing (Chapey, 2001). One of the most disabling consequences of aphasia is the way that it excludes the person from conversation (Rayner and Marshall 2003). Students’ weekly conversational visits link community service with academic study and result in a new understanding of Aphasia. Preliminary evaluation over the past two years suggests that the Aphasia Outreach Module has positively impacted students and community partners. Students have reported that the skills developed during their Service Learning module will benefit their clinical skills across client groups and settings. Community partners are very positive about the university-community collaboration and the opportunity to engage with students. Service Learning as a pedagogical approach is also supported by academic staff. The aphasia outreach module has now been embedded as a core component in the SLT curriculum at NUI, Galway.