Every Picture Tells a Story: Experiences With Self-Captured Photographs by Persons Living With Aphasia

Purpose: Using personalized photographs as visuographic support may facilitate improved spoken language production, enhance social networking opportunities, and improve overall communicative success for persons living with aphasia (PWAs). Exploring PWAs' experiences taking photographs could provide insight into the potential use of self-captured images as a means of communication support. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe (a) PWAs' experiences capturing and sharing photographs using their mobile phone in daily activities and (b) the number and types of photographs taken concerning context, content, and engagement. Method: A multiple-case study design involving six participants with chronic aphasia was used. There were three phases: (a) a brief initial training and confirmation of PWAs' ability to use their mobile phone's camera function, (b) photograph capturing, and (c) a verbal survey. Quantitative data included information about the frequency and types of captured images (context, content, and engagement) as well as responses from the adapted verbal survey. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: A total of 116 photographs were captured and shared by participants using their mobile phones, which included more pictures of objects than people. Participants positively experienced photograph capture and the sharing thereof. High-context photographs predominated ( n = 75 of 116, 64.7%); however, most were of low content ( n = 85 of 116, 73.3%). Physical barriers, such as shaking, led to retaking photographs, and technology-related barriers limited sharing capability. All participants would use photographs as communication support in the future. Conclusions: Mobile devices are a viable tool for PWAs to capture and share everyday moments. However, training and ongoing support are necessary for successfully using self-generated photographs to enhance participation, including on social media. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.31791970