The aim of this paper is to present a Communicative Guide designed for ¿key conversational partners¿ (Whitworth, Perkins y Lesser 1997) in the context of ¿aphasic conversation¿. The need for this kind of work became evident when we started collecting data for the conversational corpus of aphasia named 'PerLA' ('PERception, Language and Aphasia'), in 2000. This paper draws on prior research that deals with conversational partners, such as the Pragmatic Protocol of Carol Prutting and Diane Kirchner, the Conversational Training of Audrey Holland, and, specially, the Supported Conversation Therapy of Aura Kagan. The data supported the idea that, in contexts of aphasia, both aphasic and non-aphasic participants assume that the management of dialogue is, basically, the responsibility of the non-aphasic partner. To illustrate this responsibility and the essential role of the key conversational partner in the negotiation of meaning in conversation, the paper focuses on two emblematic conversational behaviours: overlaps and the turn-taking system. Finally, the paper highlights the usefulness of a method designed to practice these skills, namely, the Courses of Communicative Abilities for Key Conversational Partners at hospitals.