UMAP: Program Helps Patients with Aphasia Regain Speech

A 40-year-old man suffers a stroke and suddenly only has the speaking ability of a toddler. The disorder is called aphasia, but patients are discovering there is a way to find the words again. FOX 2's Deena Centofanti has more on the University of Michigan Aphasia Program.

Hospital CAO speaks with Stroke Recovery group

General & Marine Hospital CEO Linda Davis recently attended a Nottawasaga Bay Stroke Recovery Association meeting in Wasaga Beach to speak to member about the future plans for the hospital and the services it offers.


Davis said the G&M's vision is to provide timely access to care and facilitate seamless care for patients within and outside the hospital.

The CEO spoke on the strategic goals for the facility, including a necessary expansion of the existing facility, more parking, and to build on improvements to staff, physician and volunteer satisfaction as well as the 'Community of Caring' concept which includes a smoke-free and environmentally-friendly hospital. With the growth of....

WHO ARE WE?

WHO ARE WE?
THE UW SP&H CLINIC APHASIA GROUP
The University of Washington Speech and
Hearing Clinic offers many types of sup-
port for their clients. One of these is a
group specifically designed for adults with
aphasia as a result of stroke and/or brain
injury. The group meets on a weekly basis
and is facilitated by Nancy Alarcon, M.S.,
CCC-SLP.

Members of the group state that the group
helps them with “understanding the experi-
ence” [of aphasia] and that it offers them a
“comfortable environment” in which they
can share a “common tragedy”. UW APHASIA GROUP 2001

Left to Right: Doug Graham, Jean Williams, Bob Anderson, NEXT...

Aphasia support group starts up

Herald Times Reporter

TWO RIVERS – Aurora Medical Center is introducing a monthly support group called SpeakEasy for people with aphasia, a condition that may affect a person’s ability to speak, understand speech, read and write.


SpeakEasy will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month at Aurora Medical Center, 5000 Memorial Drive, Two Rivers.

Meetings are free and open to the public.

Aphasia is usually acquired as a result of a stroke or other brain injury and may add considerable stress to a family’s daily routine, according to an Aurora news release.

A person diagnosed with aphasia has to deal with the change in his or her ability to communicate and participate in prior activities. Family and friends may feel helpless and frustrated because they cannot understand exactly what their loved one is thinking or trying to say.

SpeakEasy meetings will provide an opportunity to share ideas, frustrations and learn ways to increase communication in everyday life.

“We chose the name ‘SpeakEasy’ due to its double meaning,” said Aurora speech and language pathologist Valerie Shepperd. “It refers not only to the idea of communicating freely, but also brings to mind the speakeasies established during prohibition where people went to relax and have a good time.”

The Importance of Aphasia Group Treatment for Rebuilding Community and Health

Abstract:
Recent interest in aphasia group treatment has been motivated by the potential benefits of working in a group environment. This article provides research evidence for the speech-language and psychosocial benefits of conversationally based aphasia groups. The history of aphasia groups and independent aphasia centers consistent with a social model of healthcare and the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia is traced. Research evidence is reviewed that demonstrates positive health benefits of building interpersonal relationships and community. It is argued that an important role for the speech-language pathologist is to help reconnect persons with aphasia to their family members, their friends, and their community.

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Notes from a Caregiver

Don't Forget the Baby!

One of the things I feared most happened last night. I asked my husband to go out to the office (we run a home-based business, the office is practically in our garage) to check on something. On the way out, he nearly stepped on our toddler, Rowan. I mean, he had to step...Next....

my story 1 by Banu Turhan

my story 5 -aphasia assement at the hospital

Then she takes the pad and writes the name of my husband. She asks me to copy it down. To my surprise, I can do it. She writes down "Kaan" I can also copy it down. But when she gives me a blank page I cannot write anything down but my name over an over again.

She wants me to imitate her in saying certain vowels like: "OOOO, UUUU, EEEEE". Let alone imitating them, I cannot even fathom what she wants me to do. It is almost like she has came from another planet and she wants me to use telekinesis to bend a spoon or something. How shall I know how to do it? Which command shall my brain issue to bend the spoon? I have no idea! Next......