Saturday Evening Post
Stroke Advances (Part 2)
By Wendy Braun
In the final installment of this two-part series, experts
discuss innovative approaches that help stroke survivors restore
their communication skills and move independently to accompany the
May 2010
Post
Investigates feature: “
Stroke
Advances,” by Anne Underwood...
Specialized Speech Therapy
Doug Gillis, 44, owner a softball academy in Michigan, had a
stroke in 2006 that left him with
aphasia, a language disorder that affects about one
million Americans.
People with aphasia cannot always speak the words that they want
to say. Some with the disorder also have trouble understanding
others, or find it difficult to read or write. It does not affect
intelligence. Stroke is the leading cause of aphasia. But brain
tumors, infections, and head injuries, among other conditions, may
be to blame.
Gillis said his first word one week after the stroke, and his
first sentence eight weeks later. He then enrolled in The
University of Michigan Aphasia Program (UMAP), and made significant
progress.
“We take a unique approach to aphasia therapy,” explains Annie
Kennedy, M.A., CCC-SLP, Associate Clinical Services Manager, UMAP, “
and provide an individualized therapy program with a limited
number of clients to ensure a high ratio of staff-to-clients for
the most direct and effective one-on-one treatment.
Read
the full article on The Saturday Evening Post.
