June is Aphasia Awareness Month
June is Aphasia Awareness Month and this is something that is near and dear to our hearts here at Buckeye Speech Path. We want to help raise awareness as we serve many clients each week who have aphasia.
Did you know 2 million people in the United States have aphasia, but 84.5% of Americans state that they’ve never heard the term aphasia! If you have never heard of aphasia or even if you have, the National Aphasia Association is a wonderful place to learn more about aphasia and includes many resources.
Digital Resources: These include aphasia apps, online support groups, guidelines to evaluating therapies, awareness posters, as well as an aphasia awareness quiz. We encourage you to take the quick 10 question Aphasia Awareness Quiz at https://aphasia.org/quiz/! You will likely learn something new that may surprise you!
Books and Guides: You can also find a list of books, a guide for various therapies, caregiver bill of rights, communication tips, and picture books.
Tools & Guidance: A wonderful and highly useful tool is a free aphasia card that can be personalized to help in emergency situations, or social interactions. This may aide the person with Aphasia while communicating and reduce frustration. The website also lists various aphasia centers, related organizations, and a list of related disorders that can occur in addition to aphasia.
At Buckeye Speech Path we have created the Cleveland Young Stroke Survivors Support Group which meets monthly, either in person or virtually. This group provides an opportunity for survivors and caregivers to connect with others who understand their journey, share experiences, and gain valuable resources to help navigate life after stroke. This group is in unique in that it is tailored for those who are not yet of retirement age. It is ALWAYS free, and anyone and their caregivers can join! Find more information by joining our facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/366074799113866
For more information on aphasia, we encourage you to explore the National Aphasia Association website at https://aphasia.org/, and as always, reach out to 440-253-9141 for a free 15 minute consultation.
Last tip: Do not let long standing Aphasia keep you from trying to improve! At Buckeye Speech Path, we LOVE helping people gain new skills and abilities MANY years after their injury. Do not let time and/or lack of progress be the reason that you do not try and improve yourself. You may be surprised at how amazing the brain can be at creating new pathways (neuroplasticity), even many years later.
With nothing but love and respect,
Nikki & JoBeth ♥️
