Designing the social environment for people with ABI in the community using communication partner training: A blueprint for social connection

About the Project

Communication difficulties are a common and persisting consequence of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). People with communication impairment following ABI are a vulnerable cohort and are highly susceptible to social exclusion, isolation and poor quality of life, particularly in the community context. This project aims to enable significant people to accept and allow a person with communication impairment following ABI to participate in their community. The project will examine the effectiveness of delivering an evidence based communication partner training (CPT) program (TBI Express, by Prof Togher, et al) in the context of a state-wide community support group for adults with ABI in Queensland, called STEPS (Skills To Enable People and communitieS).

Data from the project will be used to inform further communication partner training contexts (health and non health), contribute to evidence based practice guidelines for ABI, be embedded into ongoing STEPS Leaders training programs and be translated into clinical practice of Speech Pathology teams within the Division of Rehabilitation, Princess Alexandra Hospital.

 Click here to download Project Flyer

Hear from STEPS Peer leader Danny Trestrail, a participant in THC research project about designing social environment for adults with ABI in the community using communication partner training. Danny speaks of his experience in the project and reflects the sentiments of other peer leaders who also participated in this project.