Who developed the Training Communication Partners approach?

• A. Lyon
• B. Johnson
• C. Patel
• D. Chen

Answer: (A)

Training Communication Partners centers on equipping the people who interact with someone with aphasia—family, friends, caregivers—with practical strategies to support successful everyday communication. The idea is that meaningful participation improves when partners adjust how they talk and interact: speaking clearly and simply, pausing to allow processing, giving choices or yes/no options, confirming understanding, and using visual or written supports when helpful. By training these partners and having them practice in real tasks, the approach aims to reduce communication breakdowns and promote functional participation beyond therapy sessions. This framework was developed by Lyon, who outlined a practical training package for partners to implement in daily interactions. While other researchers contribute to related areas of aphasia rehabilitation and partner involvement, the formal Training Communication Partners model is attributed to Lyon.