Adult programs starting at the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center in Westlake

Are you aware that stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States? Approximately one-third of strokes result in aphasia which is a language impairment that can affect speaking, understanding, reading or writing. The National Aphasia Association estimates that there are 2,000,000 people in the USA living with aphasia.

Aphasia is always due to injury to the brain – most commonly from a stroke, particularly in older individuals. But brain injuries resulting in aphasia may also arise from head trauma, brain tumors or from infections. If you are one of the more than 750,000 people in the United States who have a stroke each year, you or your family should not have to face aphasia alone. Knowing there are others in your community in the same situation can make a world of difference.

The Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center (CHSC) is pleased to announce that we are offering two new adult programs for adults with aphasia starting in January at our new Westlake location at 29540 Center Ridge Road. 

The Adult Communication Group is a program for adults with acquired communication disorders resulting from stroke, head injury and other neurological causes such as Parkinson’s Disease. It is often the case that stroke survivors, after completing traditional individual or group therapy, find themselves with few opportunities to communicate with others. The Adult Communication Group is similar to most stroke support groups in that it provides an opportunity to socialize and offers a support system for participants.

However, the group is unique as the focus is on communication – understanding what is being said and verbally communicating with others in the group. Regular practice with these skills can help with long-term recovery in people with aphasia. The Adult Communication Group will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. starting Jan. 16. There is no charge for the program, but we welcome donations to help support the costs of running the program.

The Adult Book Club is geared toward adults with acquired communication disorders (such as aphasia) who are looking to improve their reading comprehension and verbal communication skills. The group offers the opportunity to socialize as well. Our first 9-week session will be held from 10:30 a.m.to noon starting Jan. 16. The book selection will be “The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.” Each participant will receive a book they can borrow during the entirety of the session. The cost is $45 per participant per session. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

Individual therapy is also available for adults with aphasia, dysarthria or other speech or language disorders at the Westlake office. In the future, the CHSC will expand their adult programs to include art therapy, music therapy, computer-based aphasia therapy and much more.

For more information, or to join either or both groups, email tbiller@chsc.org or call 216-325-7544.

Tracy Biller

Tracy is a Speech-Language Pathologist working for the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center as the Adult Program Coordinator.  We are excited to offer new adult programs to the Westlake/Bay Village and surrounding communities!

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Volume 11, Issue 1, Posted 9:52 AM, 01.08.2019