Script Training information excerpted from “Evidence-Based Aphasia Therapy after 15 years — Now What?” by Sharon M. Halloran, November 4, 2015
- Script Training was initially developed to promote verbal communication on client-selected topics (Holland, Milman, Munoz, & Bays, 2002). The goal is for individuals for whom speech is no longer automatic to produce islands of fluent speech in conversation.
- Previously used as a treatment approach to improve automatic language production in adults with aphasia
- To become automatic, scripts must be practiced as phrase or sentence-length units vs. syllable or ‘one word at a time’ approach (Youmans, Holland, Munoz, & Bourgeois, 2005)
- For individuals with expressive speech difficulties repeated practice of phrases and sentences can lead to automatic and effortless speech productions
- Each script should consist of 3-4 relatively short sentences
Example: Conversation Starters:
How are your grandchildren?
Good morning.
I’ll see you later
What’s new? - Utilize cuing hierarchy to introduce scripts
— Phrase repetition
— Choral reading with clinician
— Independent production - When the person with aphasia can produce a newly trained script at least 20 consecutive times, a new script is added or more info is added to the mastered script.
- It is expected to practice scripts at home for 15 minutes per day. The script can be recorded on a phone video for visual feedback to practice along with
- Once a script is mastered, generalization training is initiated (using it in real life!)
An Example of Simple Scripts for Practice:
An Example of Simple Scripts for Practice:
Restaurant Ordering:
Waitress: Hello, what Can I get you today?
Person with Aphasia: I’d like a hamburger with lettuce and tomato.
Waitress: Anything else?
Person with Aphasia: I’d like French fries.
Waitress: What would you like to drink?
Person with Aphasia: I’d like a large Coke.
Phone Conversation:
Hi Mike
How are you?
What did you do today?
I love you.
Goodbye.
Other possible topics:
- Stories from life (stroke story, introducing yourself, retelling an event)
- Prayers
- making plans
- anything that could be useful in real life situations!
