What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder most commonly caused by strokes. Stroke survivors with aphasia may have difficulty speaking, understanding speech, reading and writing. As a result, communication with others is often limited and difficult. Aphasia often causes painful social isolation.

Aphasia affects an estimated one million stroke survivors in the U.S. today.

Minnesota Stroke Association Aphasia Conversation Groups
The overall focus of the MSA Aphasia Program is to encourage and support stroke survivors with aphasia by teaching strategies which increase communication effectiveness and which promote success in their personal life goals. We seek to help participants live well with aphasia by:

Providing conversational support to increase use of varied communication strategies
Providing appropriate support for achieving personal life goals
Fostering confidence through peer support and community involvement
Increasing understanding and awareness of aphasia for those impacted by it, and in the healthcare community

Six aphasia group conversation classes are offered in Richfield, Golden Valley, St. Paul and Burnsville. There are 12-week sessions in the fall and winter and eight-week sessions in the summer each year. Class fees are $20/meeting, and scholarship support is available. Please fill out this questionnaire prior to attending.

Aphasia management program community partners
Aphasia management classes are provided in partnership with the following university graduate school programs in communication disorders who participate as a community service and to provide clinical experience for their students:

Minnesota State University, Mankato
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Wisconsin - River Falls

MSA also partners with the Speech/Language Pathology Departments at:
Regions Hospital, St. Paul
United Hospital/Allina Health System, St. Paul

The following organizations donate space in their facilities for the weekly aphasia conversation group meetings:

     • Arbors at Ridges/Ebenezer Residence, Burnsville
     • Pines Residential Facility, Richfield
     • Lyngblomsten Care Center, St. Paul
     • Old Shalom Home, St. Paul

The other groups meet weekly at the Minnesota Stroke Association Offices in Golden Valley.

FACULTY
Cindy Busch, PhD, CCC, Program Director, Associate Professor, MSU Mankato
Sarah Helm, MS SLP-CCC,
Heather Cummings, M.A. SLP-CCC, Regions Hospital, St. Paul
Emily Aust, M.S, SLP-CCC,
Elizabeth Troester, PhD, SLP-CCC, United Hospitals/Allina System
Martha Shannon, MSW, Care partner groups
Julie Hansen, MSW, Care partner groups

PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS

Survivors with aphasia and adult volunteers are trained to assist faculty members with groups. Students may apply for internship opportunities with the program (8 week minimum plus training).

CONTRIBUTIONS

Minnesota Stroke Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations may be tax deductible and are used to provide scholarships, to reduce fees, and to provide equipment to enhance the program.

NORTH MEMORIAL INTENSE APHASIA PROGRAM
The summer session will run from 9 a.m. - 12:30p.m. June 8th - 26th at North Memorial's Arbor Lakes Medical Building location in Maple Grove.

Please contact the Aphasia Resource Line at North Memorial (763) 520-1900 for more information.