People with Aphasia
Supporting Each Other
Speech therapists are in short supply, and few of them come from the same communities as most people with aphasia. Speech therapists are almost all white women, but the Centers for Disease Control reports that people of color, especially men of color, are more likely to have strokes and therefore aphasia. This lopsided ratio shapes the form and culture of treatment. Some researchers have studied the effectiveness of peer therapy. Under this approach, people with aphasia, who are likely more culturally compatible with each other, work together to improve their speech. Some results have been promising. We need to know the most effective models of peer therapy and how they work.
- There are not enough speech therapists
- People of color are at high risk for stroke
- 93% speech therapists are white women
- Peer therapy helps people with aphasia support each other
- This can be a better cultural match
- Need access to peer therapy
- Need to know how peer therapy works
Results of a study about supporting well-being in people with aphasia through peer-befriending
- The SUPERB (Supporting well-being in people with aphasia thru Peer befriending) study explored peer befriending for aphasia.
- 10 people who have had aphasia for some years were trained to be peer befrienders. 56 people who have got aphasia more recently were participants in this study.
- They received visits from trained befrienders.
- Participants found the study process straightforward and acceptable.
- Befrienders provided empathy, support, and shared coping strategies.
- People with new aphasia in the befriending program had better depression scores.
- Peer befriending is a promising intervention for aphasia.
Race, Aphasia, & Peer Support
Black people with aphasia reflect on the lack of representation, both in the therapists that serve them and within community services.
Video created by Gary Delgado & Channing Kennedy
Peer Support Models
Peer support is compared to other types of therapy groups.
Slides created by Gary Delgado
Different Treatment Types
Many of us have found a variety of helpful treatments in our recovery from aphasia. Some of these are traditional Chinese medicine, especially scalp acupuncture; music therapy; transcranial magnetic current stimulation; hyperbaric oxygen; neurofeedback, and meditation. But the U.S. health care system does not offer these treatments or even tell us about them. We should be able to know where in the U.S. these are used.
- There are many types of treatment
- Chinese medicine
- Acupuncture
- Music
- Hyperbaric
- Neurofeedback
- Meditation
- Need access to all treatment
What helps aphasia
People with aphasia talk about what has helped them, including singing, playing guitar, and cooking.
Video directed by Gary Delgado and created by Chelsea Miller
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Take herbs and supplements.
- Herbs balance bodily energy and support overall health
- Herbs can enhance cognitive function
- Herbs can enhance circulation
Acupuncture
Needle stimulates brain and muscle activity.
- Increases blood flow in brain
- Increases connections in brain
- Decrease anxiety
Music
Sing, on your own or in a group.
- Increase connection to healthy parts of the brain
- Improves speaking words and rhythm of talking
- Improves attention, memory, and solving problems
Hyperbaric Chamber
Breathe in pure oxygen in a pressure chamber.
- Increases circulation in brain, helping healing
- Reduces swelling in the brain
- Enhances body’s ability to heal
Neurofeedback
Electric signals are sent to brain to help it rewire.
- Helps enhance flow of brainwaves
- Targeted feedback helps specific areas of the brain that were injured
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves attention and problem solving
Meditation
Mindfulness and grounding exercises support recovery.
- Reduce stress and anxiety by understanding how you feel
- Improves attention, memory, and managing tasks
- Helps the brain form new connections
- Reduces fatigue
Mental Health Support
Depression
- Studies indicate that the prevalence of depression among individuals with aphasia ranges from 63%.
- People with aphasia are more likely to experience depression compared to stroke survivors without aphasia.
- The presence of communication difficulties makes feelings of isolation and frustration worse, increasing the risk of depression.
Aphasia and Depression
- Frustration and Emotional Distress The struggle to express thoughts and needs can cause immense frustration and emotional distress, contributing to depressive symptoms.
- Loss of Independence
Aphasia often results in a loss of independence in daily activities, which can negatively impact self-esteem and mental health. - Slower Rehabilitation Progress Depression can slow down the progress of rehabilitation by reducing motivation and engagement in therapy sessions.
Technology for Aphasia
Learning or re-learning how to use technology platforms that help with communication is critically important. For many of us, the stroke that caused our aphasia wiped out all our knowledge of how to use our devices. And, now that we have communication challenges, using technology can help us re-engage with the world. But we’re only offered speech therapy, which usually does nothing to help us re-learn technology. An extraordinary number of tools are available, but we receive information about them only in the most haphazard way. We’re left pretty much on our own.
- Learning technology is part of communication
- Aphasia impacts using technology
- There are tech tools
- They are not taught in helpful ways
- Alone to figure out tech
Understanding Visuals
Aphasia can make it hard understand details of an object, understand how parts fit together, or see the whole picture.
Social media websites are hard to navigate, and they change all the time!
Speaking
People with aphasia can’t access phone calls, leaving a voicemail, or leaving an audio note. Technology like video calling relies on our ability to speak.
- Access to technology for speech
- Portable speech-generating technology
- Screen readers for laptops, tablets, and phones
- Clear language
Listening
People with aphasia need supports for their comprehension.
- Key words
- Closed captions
- Clear language
Reading
Aphasia makes reading hard. There are words everywhere on the internet.
- Bold or underline keywords
- Clear language
Using ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an AI-resource.
Use it to create aphasia accessible text.
Slides and video created by Chelsea Miller, Eli Leto, and Jeanette Hoffman
People Living with Aphasia Network 