ABSTRACT
In assessing language behaviour, a naturalistic approach would have to be based more on structured observation than standardised tests. This chapter discusses the developments in naturalistic approaches towards planning therapeutic strategies. The therapeutic rationale for working in the patient's own environment is considered and the role of friends and family examined. Selected research relating to children and aphasie patients is reviewed and the practical problems recognised. The notion of accountability is introduced and it is suggested that ultimately therapists and teachers accept full responsibility for their own decisions. The approach will involve teachers and therapists working in a very different way. Clinicians will have to become more involved with the outside world of their patients and make more subjective judgements of the best way in which to conduct and evaluate therapy. By involving the patient's family and friends in therapy, the clinicians themselves become more exposed in that they have to be able to justify their therapeutic procedures to non-professionals.
