by CHI Staff
Aphasia is a communication disorder that can result from
many types of severe brain injury—typically stroke, traumatic brain
injury or brain tumor—affects all aspects of communication, including speaking
and understanding of oral or written language.
With June designated as National Aphasia Awareness month, it
is important to recognize the aphasia support groups and therapy programs in
our community. In particular the aphasia program offered at The Hy Weinberg
Center for Communication Disorders at Adelphi University’s Garden City campus
is always there to help. Offering group and individual therapy at a reduced
cost from those offered in a private practice, as well as a family support
group at no cost to families of individuals enrolled in either program, Adelphi
is committed to providing quality services at affordable rates to those in need
of therapy.
“Aphasia Awareness
Month is an opportunity to call attention to a communication disorder that is
often misunderstood. It is important to realize that aphasia is a communication
disorder. It does not affect an individual's intelligence,” Anne Marie Skvarla,
the Director of the Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders said. “The aphasic individual may become very
frustrated at the communication difficulties they experience and the social
isolation they sometimes face as family and friends are not sure how to
communicate with their loved one.”
According to Bonnie Soman, D.A., licensed speech-language
pathologist and clinical supervisor for the one of the group sessions, most
people don’t receive further aphasia speech therapy past what their insurance
covers because of the high expense such sessions incur. Cost of continued
speech therapy is often limited after insurance payments conclude, however help
is still available through our programs.
There is a common misconception that people with aphasia
can’t improve after about one year. However, according to the National Aphasia
Association, individuals with aphasia may be helped 10 or more years after
acquiring aphasia if they receive appropriate treatment.
Dr. Soman indicated that each group session has three goals:
therapeutic, helping the group members communicate; support, enabling group
members to help one another; and social, engaging in conversation with others
who understand their challenges.
Each session—run by graduate students working toward an M.S.
in Speech-Language Pathology and supervised by a credentialed and licensed
speech-language pathologist—offers a place where others who have had similar
experiences can share their troubles and triumphs in a social setting.
“When a person has a stroke and they’re taken to the
hospital, all of their family and friends are there for them. However, as they
move out of the healthcare setting and struggle with communicating, it’s not
unusual for their social networks to disappear,” Dr. Soman said. “The social
aspect should not be downplayed,” she said, and even noted a holiday gathering
for group members and their families.
Families caring for someone with aphasia also are encouraged
to attend separate group sessions to help them better prepare for challenges or
struggles they or their loved ones encounter. Family sessions are held at the
same time, in the same building as aphasia group sessions.
Enrollment for services is ongoing at the Garden City
location. For information, pricing and scheduling, contact the center director,
Anne Marie Skvarla at 516.877.4850 or askvarla@adelphi.edu.
