Browsing by Person "MacDonald, Alison"

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Aiding chronic written language expression difficulties: a case study.
(Psychology Press, 2000) Armstrong, Linda; MacDonald, Alison
This paper describes some progress made in helping a young aphasic man (MD) to overcome what had appeared to be intractable written language expression diculties, which continued to be signicant for him. Traditional therapy methods based on cognitive neuropsychological assessment had failed to help MD to generalize improvement in his spelling particularly, but not exclusively, of longer and irregular words. Both a splint which allowed him to use his dominant hand for writing directly onto a computer screen and a simple word-processing programme with synthesized auditory feedback and lexical and grammatical prediction (Write:OutLoud- and Co:Writer- ) enabled him to produce more normal written output (increased quantity and more normal quality). The discussion also focuses on how eectiveness of language therapy can be measured in this man with chronic aphasia. Introduction
Augmentation or extra effort? Using computers with people who have aphasia
(1998) MacDonald, Alison; Armstrong, Linda
Parkinson's disease and aided AAC: some evidence from practice.
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2000) Armstrong, Linda; Jans, Deborah; MacDonald, Alison
Clinical observation that people with Parkinson's disease (PD) seem to have diVerent training needs from other adult client-groups in developing eVective use of aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) was the catalyst for this study. There is little good-quality research evidence available on the eVectiveness (or lack of eVectiveness) of aided AAC use by those with PD. One of the main aims of this preliminary study, therefore, was to elicit the experiences and attitudes of speech and language therapists in this speci_ c area of their practice as the basis for future eYcacy research and clinical practice. Thirty speech and language therapists were questioned about their experience of introducing low- and high-tech AAC devices to this client-group. Of particular interest was the discovery of the factors identi_ ed by the therapists as in_ uencing their introduction of aided AAC to someone with PD and aVecting implementation and successful use. The factors reported were both diseasespeci _ c (e.g. motor problems) and more general factors (e.g. carer support) relevant to the process of introducing aided AAC to other adult client-groups. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. Some research questions are posed and the inclusion of people with PD and their carers in practice development is promoted.
The contribution of speech and language therapy to palliative medicine
(Oxford University Press, 2004-10) MacDonald, Alison; Armstrong, Linda