Choosing an intensive aphasia treatment program can be time-consuming. Everyone considering an aphasia treatment program has different priorities, so this list is based upon the most frequently asked questions and concerns of our families with aphasia.
- Therapist expertise. There are university programs that utilize supervised students to provide the treatment, and there are programs that use hospital-based therapists. Determine if this is a priority for you.
- Cost. We all want a good value for our money. If cost is a concern, you can save money by having students conduct your treatment. You will most likely pay less and you will be treated by therapists with less experience. Is cost more important than experience and expertise? Only you can make that decision.
- Outcomes. What is the program's history of results? Does the program have documented results? What will you get out of the time spent at the program? Is it important to you to have solid plan after you leave the program for continued therapy?
- Treatment time. How is the treatment time spent? Individual treatment time will be more effective, but also more costly than group therapies. How much time is devoted to aphasia therapy versus other types of activities?
- Program specifics. Each program is different, providing different services and treatment philosophies. How individualized is the program? Do you get the same scheduling and program regardless of your diagnosis (primary progressive aphasia versus primary dysarthria, severe aphasia, etc)?
Ask questions. Discuss your options for the length of your sessions and how accommodating the program can be for individual needs. Some programs are the same for everyone and clients are fit into their program, while other programs customize the treatment to the patient's needs. Does the program include housing and transportation? Do they provide equipment you may need for handicapped clients? What is the caregiver's role in the treatment?
The main thing is to determine which factors are most important to you. Our goals at The Aphasia Center are to make family communication easier, to bring the family closer together, and to give persons with aphasia ways to participate again in the activities that they enjoy. We do this by treating each family as unique, providing daily training and support, giving the caregivers permission to take breaks, and by working towards the families' goals for the whole family.
How does The Aphasia Center intensive aphasia treatment program stand out from the others?
