Clinics and Facilities

Receive focused therapy, training and more

Operated by the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences in partnership with affiliate Range Community Clinic, the program will provide individualized assessment and goal setting, individual therapy targeting goals, small group therapy targeting functional communication, and patient/caregiver training.

Therapy is provided by graduate-level student clinicians supervised by a certified/licensed medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) who has experience working with individuals with aphasia in acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient settings.

Program

• The individual assessment day centers on determining strengths and challenges in language abilities utilizing a test based on up-to-date models of language processing from a cognitive neuropsychology perspective as well as individualized goal setting.
• For the remaining five days of the academy, each client receives a total of 1.5 hours of individual therapy daily. Therapy will be guided by the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA), which focuses on improving a client’s ability to functionally communicate in their daily lives by utilizing a variety of evidenced-based aphasia treatment approaches (e.g. semantic feature analysis, verb network strengthening treatment, phonological components analysis, anagram copy recall treatment, and/or script training) based on the client’s individual communication goals.
• Each client will also receive 1.5 hours of small group therapy, including Intensive Language-Action Therapy (IALT) approach, along with opportunities to communicate with others with aphasia who can act as peer supports during enjoyable, evidence and language-based activities. One-to-one support will be provided for each client even during small group therapy.

• Caregivers are encouraged to attend if able and will have opportunities to learn about communication partner training strategies and practice these techniques both in individual and small group sessions.
• During the final day, small group treatment will showcase the functional communication gains each client has made. During the final individual treatment session, each client receives a personalized home exercise program to maintain the gains made during the summer program as well as strategies to keep improving life participation.

*Breaks provided as needed during training and therapy sessions.

To sign up, email elizabeth.clark@wsu.edu

Eligibility Criteria

The WSU College of Medicine Aphasia Academy is designed for adults who have mild to moderate aphasia, either sub-acute or chronic. Clients may also have a co-occurring diagnosis of apraxia of speech. Clients must have the ability to concentrate and participate during the rigorous, daily three-hour program. Clients who require assistance with use of the restroom must have a caregiver present throughout the program.

Cost ­

No charge and insurance will not be billed. This academy is being provided as a service to our community and to provide graduate SLP students with opportunities to work with clients with aphasia.

Enroll

Email elizabeth.clark@wsu.edu to sign up. A review begins May 2023 and will be open until filled.