Community Groups

A communication program for stroke survivors with aphasia

“Let¹s Talk Again” is a communication program for stroke survivors with aphasia. Both group and individual therapy are offered. The group is led by Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate students under the supervision of a certified speech language pathologist and CSD faculty member.  

The group provides increased communication opportunities in a naturalistic context. Members participate in language stimulation activities, try new communication techniques and learn compensatory strategies that focus on enhancing their ability to participate in conversation and other communicative contexts of daily living. Participants develop a sense of belonging and have an opportunity to network with other stroke survivors.

Helpful hints when communicating with stroke survivors:

1. Make sure you have the person's attention before communicating.
2. During conversation, minimize or eliminate background noise (such as television, radio, and other people) as much as possible.
3. Keep communication simple but adult. Simplify your own sentence structure and reduce your own rate of speech. You don't need to speak louder than normal but do emphasize key words. Don't talk down to the person with aphasia.
4. Encourage and use other modes of communication (writing, drawing, yes/no responses, choices, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions) in addition to speech.
5. Give them time to talk and let them have a reasonable amount of time to respond. Avoid speaking for the person with aphasia except when necessary and ask permission before doing so.
6. Praise all attempts to speak; make speaking a pleasant experience and provide stimulating conversation.Downplay errors and avoid frequent criticisms/corrections. Avoid insisting that each word be produced perfectly.
7. Augment speech with gesture and visual aids whenever possible. Repeat a statement when necessary.
8. Encourage them to be as independent as possible. Avoid being overprotective.
9. Whenever possible continue normal activities (such as dinner with family, company, going out). Do not shield people with aphasia from family or friends or ignore them in a group conversation. Rather, try to involve them in family decision-making as much as possiblee. Keep them informed of events but avoid burdening them with day to day details.

-National Aphasia Association, 2013

Resources and information:

• National Aphasia Association 
• American Stroke Association
• National Stroke Association
• Aphasia Hope Foundation
• American Speech-Language Hearing Association
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Aphasia Support Group Blog

If you are interested in joining or receiving more information, contact the clinic at 320-308-2092 or csd@stcloudstate.edu. 

St. Cloud State University's Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) department is pleased to announce that we received a grant from the Parkinson Voice Project (https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/) to serve clients with Parkinson's disease and individuals with Parkinsonism.  This grant allows us to offer a two-part speech therapy program to help individuals with Parkinson’s regain and maintain effective communication: SPEAK OUT!® followed by The LOUD Crowd®. 

SPEAK OUT!® places emphasis on speaking with intent and converting speech from an automatic function to an intentional act. Together, patients, graduate student clinicians, along with their supervising speech-language pathologist, work through a series of speech, voice, and cognitive exercises outlined in the SPEAK OUT!® Workbook.  Sessions are arranged based on client schedule, and can be at our clinic or through telehealth. 

Upon completion of SPEAK OUT!®, patients transition to The LOUD Crowd®. This maintenance program consists of weekly group sessions led by graduate student clinicians and the supervising speech-language pathologist. The SPEAK OUT!® exercises are performed, and group members provide support, encouragement, and accountability to one another. LOUD CROWD® meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at our clinic or through telehealth. 

Participation in The LOUD Crowd®, along with daily home practice and six-month re-evaluations, has been shown to help patients maintain their communication skills throughout the progression of Parkinson’s.

The SCSU CSD Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic is a free clinic.  For more information about SPEAK OUT!® and The LOUD Crowd® or to schedule a speech evaluation, please call 320-308-2092.