Aphasia Programs

For members and clients of the center

Currently, we have more than 60 clients/members with aphasia who attend the Aphasia Center. Members and clients of the center may take part in some of the following:

Receive individualized treatment plans based on their own communication goals and the results of diagnostic evaluation.
Have treatment 1-2 times per week in 50-minute sessions.
Receive treatment provided by graduate students in the final year of their graduate program.
Many members take advantage of the IMPACT Practice Center’s complementary services in the Physical Therapy Center for Clinical Education and Health Promotion, The Tabor/Connor Family Occupational Therapy Center for Learning, Participation, and Rehabilitation, and the Ruth Sleeper Nursing Center for Clinical Education and Wellness.
May continue to receive individual speech-language therapy services as long as the sessions are meeting the dual purpose of the Center–the member is benefiting from therapy and the students are gaining their professional skills from the therapy.
May participate in research on aphasia at the MGH Institute of Health Professions.

three older people sit in chairs, a man and two women

S-IHP's CAP: Intensive Aphasia Program

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and MGH Institute of Health Professions collaborate each fall to offer this unique intensive 6-week comprehensive Aphasia Program. It is affectionately referred to as “Ship’s Cap” or "S-IHP's CAP".

This innovative, interprofessional Comprehensive Aphasia Program targets an individual’s life participation goals and operates according to the core values of the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA). The program features 1-on-1 Therapy Sessions, Group Therapy Sessions, Music Therapy, Swim Group, Wellness Program, and Adaptive Sports Program.

Apply to the Program

Program Eligibility

There are 8 program slots. We are recruiting candidates who:

Are age 18 or older Are at least 6 months after the onset of aphasia
Have significant aphasia that affects participation in life activities
Speak English (therapy is in English)
Are not participating in other rehabilitation therapies during the program
Are comfortable doing group activities
Can participate in 8 hours of treatment and activities with breaks, 4 days each week for 5 weeks
Can manage own personal care and medication or have a caregiver with them to assist
Provide own transportation to and from the program in Charlestown

Program Dates & Deadlines

Early September - Mid October
Tuesday through Fridays
9 AM - 4 PM

Deadline to apply is July 31

Program Outcomes

While participant outcomes vary, the majority of clients have demonstrated notable improvements in the following areas:

Standardized language scores
Communication confidence ratings

100% of those who have attended the program indicate they would recommend it to someone with aphasia.

Articles and Press

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact SHIPSCAP [at] partners.org (SHIPSCAP[at]partners[dot]org).

View the program brochure to learn more.

Aphasia Conversation Group

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the brain, most commonly from a stroke. Conversation groups provide people with aphasia a chance to work on communication skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Members discuss all sorts of topics such as living with aphasia, sports, movies, music, and upcoming events

Group members can drop in to online or in-person sessions when they are able to.

aphasiacenter [at] mghihp.edu (Contact to Join)

Format & Location

There are options to join online through Zoom or in-person at Sanders IMPACT Practice Center, Charlestown, MA 02129.

The group is facilitated by graduate student clinicians.

Meeting Times

Fall & Spring: The group meets every Friday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.

Summer: The group meets every Thursday from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.

Cost (Free)

The conversation group is free to join.

Questions?

Contact the Aphasia Center Coordinator, Esther Ayuk at aphasiacenter [at] mghihp.edu (aphasiacenter[at]mghihp[dot]edu) or (617) 312-5857

Schedule

The Aphasia Center is open year-round.

Fall semester – Sept. to Dec.
Spring semester – January to April
Summer semester – May to August

Cost

Families welcomed and encouraged to make a donation to the MGH Institute.

Refer a Client to our Center

Referrals to the Aphasia Center come from:

Self-referrals
Massachusetts General Brigham (MGB) Health Care Hospitals including
- Mass General Hospital (MGH)
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH)
Other local rehabilitation centers

Non-Discrimination Policy

MGH Institute of Health Professions is committed to ensuring a welcoming academic community for all. Our inclusive environment is enriched by our differences including age, color, disability, gender, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, national and ethnic origin, race, religion, status as a parent, socio-economic background, veteran or active military status.

The Institute prohibits discrimination in admissions, financial aid, employment and administration of its programs and activities.