UNDATED (WHDH) — New hope for stroke patients. A unique rehab program is helping them communicate in way they never thought would be possible again.
Stroke has disrupted their ability to communicate.
“In fact my son correct my language or speech all the time,” said one stroke survivor.
It’s a condition called aphasia.
But these stroke survivors, with their families, are improving communication skills through a program called the Intensive Aphasia Program.
“This goes above and beyond traditional therapy,” said Gail Lommen, speech pathologist.
Traditionally stroke patients get one hour a day of therapy or less which ends after just six months to a year thinking it’s all the further they’ll progress.
“That has been the exact traditional thought that there has been this plateau well we’ve dispelled that myth,” said Lommen.
This program is designed for those more than six months beyond their stroke.
Its 5 days a week, 3.5 hours a day, for four weeks.
“And we now have 10 years worth of data to support the fact that this makes a difference,” said Lommen.
“It was the first time I could breathe because we could talk to other people that knew what we go through on a daily basis,” said Charlene Freeman, a relative of a stroke survivor.
Family members get the support they need and for survivors, speech, comprehension and writing improve.
Sara Shallman, who suffered a stroke two and a half years ago, also has new confidence.
“Oh I’m smart,” said Shallman.
She also has new tools, and technology to use when the words are hard to find.
“I was lucky, was lucky to have the program,” said Shallman.
The Intensive Aphasia Program is believed to be one of only ten such programs in the world.