Communication Partner Training

Communication partner training (CPT) is an evidence-based intervention to support effective communication among persons with communication impairments by training their everyday partners. Before considering the specifics of CPT, speech-language pathologists should address the broader goal of interventions from a social intervention framework. The general goal of such approaches is to enhance participation in personally meaningful activities. As such, social approaches seek to alter the threshold for participation by providing supports that increase the likelihood of success. CPT is one of several elements in a social, participation-based intervention approach.

Comprehensive treatment approaches serving individuals with acquired neurogenic disorders (i.e., aphasia, traumatic brain injury, dementia, dysarthria) should include CPT. If clinicians wish to foster carryover of techniques, they must provide everyday partners knowledge of the disorder (i.e., onset, ...