Aphasia Support Group

Course: SPPA 550

An adult aphasia support group is offered each semester of graduate clinic. Aphasia is a loss of language caused by stroke or brain injury. Those in the support group are not charge for participation in this program. On average 10-12 students are involved in this project over the course of the year. The students are responsible for helping the members set goals for the semester and for developing appropriate activities to meet these goals. The goals can include activities the members want to engage in, skills they want to develop, volunteering they want to do, or preparation of presentations they want to do for other community or student groups.

Additionally, during the sessions, group members’ work on therapeutic activities designed to improve oral expression and understanding. The group provides a safe place to discuss and problem solve the challenges faced by individuals with aphasia. Typically students complete a minimum of one hour of preparation each group session and meet with me following sessions to discuss group needs and challenges. Individuals wishing to join the group can call the East Stroudsburg University Speech and Hearing Clinic (570) 422-3247 for further information.

Impact At A Glance

“Working with the Aphasia Support Group was crucial to my development as a clinician. It provided me with the opportunity to build critical clinical skills including observing and interacting with multiple clients with differing needs simultaneously; managing social dynamics and planning activities to meet each individual’s needs.

Engaging with the clients taught me the importance of being understood by peers and the incredible impact encouragement can have on one’s confidence and self-esteem. Most importantly, it taught me that each of the members of the group brought unique talents, knowledge, wisdom, and perspective to the group; things that they could teach me, too.” -Emily Doll, Graduate, Class of 2016

Benefits

To Our Students

• The students develop a much deeper understanding of the impact of aphasia across all aspects of life
• Provide students with an opportunity to develop their skills at interacting with adult clients with aphasia
• Allows students to expand their understanding of and skills implementing therapeutic techniques to advance communication skills

To Our Community

• Provides intervention at no cost to the clients allowing them to continue with a recovery when insurance coverage is not available
• Maximizes clients' ability to communicate effectively with family, friends, physicians etc. allowing them to engage fully in all aspects of their life.