What role do family members and caregivers play in AOS rehabilitation?

• A. They substitute for clinicians when sessions are unavailable.
• B. They support at-home practice, reinforce cues, provide feedback, and help maintain therapy gains.
• C. They have no role in therapy.
• D. They only manage scheduling and paperwork.

Answer: (B)

Family members and caregivers are essential partners in AOS rehab because motor speech learning relies on frequent, guided practice outside of therapy sessions. They implement the cues and strategies the clinician teaches, help the person rehearse target words and phrases at home, and provide timely, specific feedback that reinforces correct articulatory patterns. By creating a stable practice routine and shaping daily communication, they help maintain gains and promote generalization to real-life conversation. They also monitor progress, communicate with the clinician, and ensure that therapy principles are applied consistently. Although they can't replace clinicians, their role is to support at-home practice, reinforce cues, provide feedback, and sustain improvements.