Extended repair in SGD-mediated conversation involving speakers with dysarthria

Background: The ability to engage successfully in repair is central to accomplishing shared conversational activities. Based on two case studies, this paper describes one strategy individuals with dysarthria who use speech generating devices (SGD) may engage in to manage extended repair in multiparty conversation. Method: Conversation Analysis was applied to video data of two extended repair interactions involving an aided speaker and two interlocutors, one familiar, the other less familiar. Results: Aided speakers took an agentive role in the organization of repair when dyadic repair with the less familiar conversant was unsuccessful by selecting the more familiar partners to participate in repair. Aided speakers capitalized on the partner shift by immediately switching to use of idiosyncratic communication modalities and by making reference to past shared experiences relevant to the repair. Conclusion/Discussion: The use of this strategy warrants further exploration as a means for managing extended repair in SGD-mediated conversation.