Aphasia Support: This group offers an opportunity to meet others with language difficulties and to share strategies for achieving success in communication. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital at 1513 Race Street in Philadelphia. For more information, please email Madison.Liss@Jefferson.edu, Sarah.Troy@Jefferson.edu or Svjetlana.Vitor@Jefferson.edu. Support groups and services have been meeting virtually, via Zoom, during the pandemic. Details on resuming in-person gatherings will be forthcoming. For more information, contact the individuals listed or check back at this […]
[…]creative process, particularly collage-making, in the effort to make one’s voice heard. June is Aphasia Awareness Month. To learn more about Magee’s Aphasia Support Group, click […]
[…]in all cases, it is essential for the person to communicate as successfully as possible. Types of AphasiaAphasia can range in severity and can be mild, moderate or severe. The two most common primary types of aphasia are expressive and receptive. Expressive Aphasia is when an individual has difficulty saying or writing down what they want or need. Individuals usually know what they want to say, but have trouble saying what they mean. Expressive aphasia usually results when an area in the front part of the brain (Broca’s area) is damaged. Receptive Aphasia is when an individual can hear […]
[…]Proclamation” for Philadelphia’s Mayor Nutter to sign, which will officially declare June Aphasia Awareness Month in Philadelphia. In addition to the Aphasia Support Group being a place for members to share their fears, strategies, and experiences with aphasia, this project is yet another example of the strength and resolve of these individuals. Meetings are held at 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month (except August) at Magee Rehabilitation. If you would like to receive more information about the Aphasia Support Group, please contact Sarah Lantz at (215) 587-3142 or […]
[…]Phrases: A series of speech-exercise videos that contain greetings, conversational phrases and aphasia-oriented phrases. The app illustrates the tongue and lip movements necessary to produce these common phrases and allows users to practice them at their own pace. Communication Systems SmallTalk Aphasia (Male or Female): Provides users with common words and phrases for communication purposes SmallTalk Daily Activities: Provides users with words and icons they need to go about the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and leisure Locabulary: Provides users with words, phrases and sentences for communication purposes. Includes quick phrases, moods, assistance and food-related information. Verbally: Text-to-speech with word prediction […]
[…]have aphasia by 2020 85% of aphasia cases are the result of stroke 25-40% of stroke survivors have aphasia Magee’s Aphasia Community Support Group is on a mission to get the word out! In honor of Aphasia Awareness Month, the group celebrated at their June 3rd meeting by relishing in their newly acquired Proclamation from Mayor Nutter’s office declaring June as Aphasia Awareness Month in Philadelphia! Special thanks to Dr. Whitney Postman, per diem speech therapy staff member at Magee, for helping to secure the document for the members! Magee’s Aphasia Community Support Group provides a safe, supportive environment for […]
[…]your sentence. That is what it is like to have aphasia. Here are a few key things to know about aphasia: Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to express and understand language. The most common cause of aphasia is stroke (about 25-40% of stroke survivors acquire aphasia). It can also result from head injury, brain tumor or other neurological causes. Aphasia does NOT affect a person’s intelligence; only their communication is affected. Aphasia affects about one million Americans -or 1 in 250 people. 200,000 intelligent women and men a year are suddenly thrown into a world of jumbled communication because […]
[…]people in the U.S. who are living with aphasia. June is Aphasia Awareness Month. What is aphasia? Aphasia is a communication disorder caused by stroke or brain injury that affects a person’s ability to use and/or understand language. It’s important to note that aphasia does not affect a person’s intellect. The severity of aphasia can vary from person to person: for some, it makes communication virtually impossible, and for others, it’s quite mild. Aphasia can make it difficult for a person to name objects, to put words together into sentences, to follow a conversation, or to read and write. The Aphasia Community Support […]
[…]and communication systems that have worked for you or your loved one! What is your go-to aphasia app? Let us know! For more information on aphasia and to learn more about some of the apps listed above, visit American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or National Aphasia […]
[…]about what aphasia is, how it is caused, whom it affects, and how it is treated. What is aphasia? Aphasia is one of the most significant and common conditions caused by stroke or brain injury. It is the loss or impairment of ones ability to use or comprehend words. It usually results from brain damage to the left part of the brain (where most people store their language). Aphasia can result in difficulty speaking, understanding, writing, and/or reading. People with aphasia can also have difficulty with performing mathematical functions. An important thing to remember is that aphasia is a loss […]
As mentioned in previous blog articles, June is Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia is one of the most common conditions caused by stroke or brain injury and results in the loss or impairment of one’s ability to use or comprehend language. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), I work alongside many people struggling with aphasia and/or apraxia following an injury to the brain. While being in the hospital following an injury is never easy, recovery can be especially challenging for those individuals who are unable to express themselves or understand what is being said around them. Today, we meet Mark Newell. Mark […]
[…]to teach as many people as we can about this silent, often misunderstood condition. So, what is aphasia? Aphasia is a communication disorder caused most commonly by a stroke or brain injury that affects an individual’s ability to use and/or understand language. Aphasia does not affect a person’s intellect and can vary in the type and severity. Aphasia can make it difficult for an individual to name objects, form sentences, understand questions/directions, or to read and write. Individuals have different strengths and weaknesses and may benefit from using different forms of communication to get their messages across. Magee is fortunate […]
[…]to increase awareness of this commonly unheard of and often misunderstood condition. So, what is aphasia? Aphasia is a communication disorder caused by stroke or brain injury that affects a person’s ability to use and/or understand language. It is important to note that aphasia does not affect a person’s intellect. The severity of aphasia can vary from person to person. For some, it makes communication virtually impossible, and for others, it’s quite mild. Aphasia can make it difficult for a person to name objects, to put words together into sentences, to follow a conversation, or to read and write. Here at Magee, an […]
[…]at the Riverfront Outpatient Center. While his motor skills remained intact, Philip suffered from aphasia, impairing his ability to speak, read and write. During his time at Magee, Philip underwent a wide range of traditional therapies, such as physical, occupational and speech therapies. And while these had a tremendous impact on his recovery, the therapy that left the most lasting impression was decidedly less conventional: art therapy. Art therapy uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals undergoing rehabilitation at Magee. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, […]
[…]can happen after a brain injury (stroke or head trauma for example). Many times individuals with aphasia shun social gatherings because of an inability to participate in everyday conversation. The Aphasia Community Support Group provides an opportunity to practice speech and language skills in a safe and supportive environment; provides education about aphasia; and encourages socialization among the members. This group is open to individuals who have aphasia and/or their family members. Meetings are held every month on the first Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. except for August at Magee Rehabilitation. Family Caregiver Support As part of our community outreach effort, […]
[…]the right career choice. I had the opportunity to take care of a stroke patient with expressive aphasia. I remember watching American Idol with him after finishing with the rest of my patients’ care. It was amazing how well he and I communicated. His wife asked me once how I did it. My only response was that I took the extra time that it need and never made him feel rushed. This patient predicted the winner of American Idol that season, and I was able to understand who that was. This may seem small, but it made me feel good […]
[…]found a solution: a virtual speech therapist. The purpose of speech therapy for the treatment of aphasia is to help people relearn and regain lost language skills. There is a focus on rehearsal, repetition and capitalizing on what language skills remain. While there is no cure for aphasia, people who are consistently stimulated by practice, therapy and feedback will continue to improve. Feedback is very important, as the therapist can correct mistakes – without it, they will continue to make the same mistakes over and over. While working with a trained speech therapist is the best option, it is not […]
[…]weakness on her right side, problems with coordination due to nervous system damage (ataxia) and aphasia. While an inpatient at Magee, Ragna began working with our art therapist Lori Tiberi. After Ragna was discharged as an inpatient, she continued to work with Lori as an outpatient at our Riverfront facility. And while it eventually became something she loved, it wasn’t always her favorite – at least, not at first. “At first I didn’t like it, because we used colored marker pencils. I didn’t relate to that,” she said. “When I was given water colors, it was something I could relate […]
[…]recreates Disney princesses with disabilities, and the result is pretty incredible. Living with Aphasia? There’s an App for That Ashley Owens shares apps that can help people with aphasia communicate. We want to hear from you! What has your favorite post been this year? What would you like to see next […]
[…]such as apps aimed at helping people find accessible restaurants, apps to help people with aphasia communicate, apps to find the closest accessible bathroom and more. Today, we are excited to introduce you to another awesome app: My i-Limb. This app is designed for people with arm and hand prostheses designed by Touch Bionics. If you have a Touch Bionics prosthesis, this free iPhone app allows you to customize your prosthesis while on the go. The user can instantly access 24 different Quick Grips, and can even create 12 customized grips and gestures. You can create lists of your favorite grips by different activities, such […]
