PACE Therapy for Aphasia (word-retrieval
 Promoting Aphasics Communication Effectiveness

What is the PACE Technique?

This procedure is a slight variation of the basic picture-naming drill, but the adjustments introduce elements of conversation into the interaction These adjustments include the person with aphasia and the therapist taking turns conveying messages, pictures for messages hidden from the listener, and a free choice of modalities for conveying messages. Developed by Jeanne Wilcox and Albyn Davis in Memphis, it appears to have been popular in Europe where most studies have been conducted.

From the National Aphasia Association

Critical Elements of PACE

The patient and clinician take turns Presenting or Receving.

Presenter : Looks at a target card (word/picture) and then tries  to convey that to the Receiver.

Receiver: tries to guess the target.

1. Equal participation - the clinician and patient take turns being senders or receivers.
2. New Information - there is an exchange of new information between clinician and patient.  Much like charades, pictionary, etc. the receiver does not know the target word/picture.
3. Free choice of communication channel (modality) - the patient is free to communication with speech, writing, pantomime, etc.
4. Natural Feedback - the clinician responds naturally to the communication attempt by the patient.

For more info see the Critique of PACE Therapy from the Journal of Aphasiology

Presentation on PACE

More Tips on Helping Survivors with Aphasia

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