Judy Walker is talking about how highly personalised treatment programmes and fun and meaningful activities are possible in #telepractice, using personal photos and the vast digital resources available online @AphasiaAccess #AphAcc21: creates huge impact & positive outcomes!

"Clients like that we are creating activities so relevant to their world" - Judy Walker #AphAcc21. Despite Covid, her practice sees impairment and functional outcomes improving through #telepractice @AphasiaAccess

Tom Sather is speaking now on the #telepractice panel at #AphAcc21: he was inspired by Amy Hill speaking at Nordic Aphasia, but reluctant pre-Covid initially. Quickly learned online can work and work well! Was expecting these to be augmentative vs primary but Covid changed this!

"What I want to emphasise is that connections matters". A big takeaway for Tom Sather is that online groups can foster connections - not always as well as in person, but important gains are made. PACE and Care Partner groups have been undertaken #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess

Tom Sather says they are using social network analysis to look at who is participating in onlien #aphasia groups - what might predict participation in technology? It's not always those who are further away from in person sites. #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess

Covid-19 has really brought a sense of how important social connections are beyond the LPAA community to the wider stroke and neuro rehab world, and beyond says Tom Sather #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess

Trish Hambridge is sharing her experiences - she had never used #telepractice before. She particularly loved Book Club. Not all members managed to access Zoom however - "I worry for speech, isolation". Benefits: easy, no transport, no shower! #Covid19 #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess

"Speaking is less stress, less struggle. I think have office and have Zoom would be good for the blending. I miss hugs and laughter." - Trish Hambridge sharing her experiences of #telepractice @AphasiaAccess #AphAcc21

Angie C says you do miss the camaraderie! Advising people to make passwords for groups and Zoom sessions aphasia friendly! Most of Angie's experience was in groups. "One of the great things about it is I don't have to live in Delaware to join that group!" #AphAcc21

Some of the small conversations are lost e.g. things you can talk about in an office night not always be easy to talk about at home. Some of the intimacy can be lost when it comes to telemedicine - this matters a bit less with groups. Angie C #AphAcc21

One of the major disparities can be supporting conversation for individuals who need a partner to support their communication. Tom Sather has said it hasn't been very easy to tackle. Caring Partner groups separated out.

Judy Walker says using digital pictures on the screen can help. Her practice provides direct instructions to E-helpers on what their specific role is. They try to have E-helpers there as a passive observer, only jumping in for technical support #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess

Someone in the chat suggests one group facilitator working behind the scenes to pull up Google images in real time to support the conversation- for example, if someone mentions a place or person, finding this to share quickly on screen #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess

Managing floor space in groups in #telepractice - one suggestion: if you keep the same order of participation throughout an entire session, everyone knows who goes before them and then who goes next. Spotlighting e.g. "Tom, do you want to speak?" #AphAcc21

Life Participation Activities online - using a geobrowser to discuss yardwork or activities in the community, virtual tours, personal photos. Use the technology to support what everybody is talking about in their lives! #AphAcc21 @AphasiaAccess