Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) comes in many shapes, sizes, and levels of complexity. No-tech and low-tech AAC — such as gestures and communication boards — can help many people with their needs. But there are also cases where high-tech AAC might be a more appropriate fit. People with speech or language impairments caused by…
By guest author: Devin Fisher, M.S., CCC-SLP I want people to know that there are resources out there at no cost that may be helpful relative to using and working on literacy skills. It’s important to engage regularly in reading activities, as there is a strong relationship between literacy skills and other cognitive-communication skills. So,…
What Is Primary Progressive Aphasia? Primary progressive aphasia — or PPA — is a health condition that differs from other types of aphasia. Unlike PPA, aphasia is caused by events such as stroke or traumatic brain injury. PPA is a neurological syndrome in which the language centers of the brain degenerate over time. When aphasia…
Even though aphasia affects millions of Americans, most people have not heard of it, at least by name. The acquired communication disorder affects a person’s ability to process, use, and/or understand language. If that description of aphasia sounds similar to what you know about those who have had a stroke, that’s because it’s the same…
Founded in 2019 by stroke survivor Debra Meyerson and her husband Steve Zuckerman, Stroke Onward, a non-profit initiative of the Social Good Fund, works to provide stroke survivors, care partners, and healthcare professionals with resources to help navigate the emotional journey to rebuild identities and rewarding lives. There are seven million stroke survivors in the…
There are no doubts about it: Caregiving is hard work. But hard work can take its toll, and those consequences aren’t always as obvious or even acknowledged. At Lingraphica, we’re fortunate to interact with aphasia caregivers on a daily basis. In 2020, we reached out to hundreds of caregivers to try and learn more about…
Throughout history, humans have relied on symbols to represent or convey certain messages. From prehistoric cave paintings to modern street signs, simple images can express ideas, rules, and emotions. Now, iconography in the form of emoticons are a part of our day-to-day lives in unique ways. A smiley face as a reply to text message…
Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, and a leading cause of disability. According to CDC estimates, someone in the U.S. has a stroke every 40 seconds. Ischemic strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced by a blockage, while hemorrhagic strokes occur when a blood…
The ability to communicate helps individuals engage with the world around them. From saying goodnight to a loved one to asking a doctor for help, it’s how we exchange information. When certain conditions or impairments affect things like speech and language, communication can become less effective. When communication falls short, the harsh reality is that…
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and their patients have an array of tools and strategies to choose from when considering care. One such tool is augmentative and alternative communication, or AAC. AAC is a term that we use to describe the various methods an individual with a speech or language impairment can use to communicate. At Lingraphica,…
