Description

SPEECH/LANGUAGE GROUP THERAPY 
“Poker Game” (45-60 minutes)

PURPOSE: To provide a rich communicative experience for patients that includes problem solving, decision making, symbolic language, turn-taking, sequencing, math skills, attention/concentration, expression and comprehension.

PARTICIPANTS: Ratio of therapists to patients should be 1:4

PATIENT SKILL LEVELS/OBJECTIVES: A variety of skill levels could participate. Some portions of individual sessions could be devoted to learning the rules of the game and practice. Voice patients could work on their vocal intensity, hygiene, pitch, etc.; aphasia patients could work on verbal production; aural rehab patients could work on speech reading in a group setting; cognitive linguistic patients could concentrate on attention, concentration, pragmatics, behavior, memory, etc. 

MATERIALS: A deck of playing cards, poker chips, memory jogger cards/sheets (more on those later), paper and pencil for score keeping. Optional: “Fabulous Prizes”.

DOCUMENTATION: Either the SLP or an assistant can tally scores, or a patient who is working on writing and/or math skills, could keep score. Additionally, SLP will want to keep a pad handy to note how well pt. performs targeted tasks (e.g. independence of play, addition, pragmatics, etc.) A short note should be completed immediately after group therapy session and placed in the working folder of each participant to record data for inclusion in weekly progress note.

PROCEDURE: The actual game is “BLACKJACK” or “21”. (Actual poker could be played, but the rules may be too difficult for some patients to grasp.) Explain to the participants that the object of the game is to get 21 points or as close as possible. It may be wise for the SLP to pick up a set of the common rules of the game for reference. A few “memory jogger” sheets/cards should be printed up with the values of the face cards (e.g. A= 1 or 11, K= 10, etc.), but verbally explain that the numbered cards are worth face value. Additionally a “memory jogger” should be made to remind players of the values of the poker chips (e.g., blue = 5 points, red = 25 points, etc.). The sheets/cards could be phased out as needed.

Each player is issued 5 (or 10, whatever) each of the poker chips. They are told to “Ante up”, or place poker chips in the middle of the table. The dealer/SLP deals two cards around the table—one face down and one face up. Play ensues. Players have to determine the value of the cards they are dealt, determine whether they want additional cards and when they have enough cards.

Winners can be determined on the number of games won and/or who has the most chips. 

This could become a weekly or monthly event and “Fabulous Prizes” awarded (i.e., dollar store or flea market items such as small statues, toiletries, make-up, aftershave lotion, etc.) Additionally, swallowing issues could be addressed if refreshments (i.e. O’Doul’s beer and pretzels or chips) are served. 

• Decks of playing cards, poker chips, visual supports. You will want to develop 2 pages.
• Page 1 will have a picture of the ace and face cards with the values listed:
• A = 1 OR 11 
• K = 10 
• Q = 10 
• J = 10 

• Page 2 will have a similar purpose and have the colors and values of the poker chips you use

Preparation Details 

• Prep the visual supports

• 10-20 minutes

• Less than 10 minutes

• Flexible, can be adapted to time available

• No restrictions, anyone with aphasia can do this activity

•  N/A

• I have done this activity in a room of about 12 people with aphasia an all different levels of ability. In that case, I tend to group the clients with mixed abilities and levels of skills. I have some clients with minimal verbal skills but compute numbers like a machine. Some with more verbal skills, but they struggle with the math. Clients tend to assist each other. I have had clients who are very high level and have recruited them to be dealers.

• N/A

• Blackjack Cards
• Speech/Language Group Therapy