The University of Montana Big Sky Aphasia Program (UM-BSAP)

Intensive Aphasia Program Overview

The UM-BSAPintensive aphasia program is designed to help individuals with aphasia develop and strengthen their communication skills for participation in life through intensive practice during individual, group, and computer-based sessions.

UM-BSAP goals include:

  • Improving spoken language production
  • Developing multi-modality self-cuing strategies and communication skills for individuals with aphasia
  • Strengthening supportive communication strategies for individuals with aphasia and their communication partners
  • Building successful communication opportunities in small and large group settings
  • Providing support and training for communication partners and caregivers
  • Providing a supportive learning environment for individuals with aphasia and their communication partners, and our graduate student clinicians

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Who is this Program For?

This special program is geared toward individuals with aphasia who:

  • Have been living with aphasia for3 monthsor more; this will include individuals who have been living with aphasia for many years after their stroke
  • Are currently being seen by a speech and language pathologist in the community, or may no longer be receiving treatment services
  • Can attend and participate 3 days per week for 4weeks
  • Have consistent transportation to and from our clinic for services, as outlined below
  • Have a communication partner (i.e., family member, caregiver or friend):
  • who wantsto support the individual with aphasia to participate in social activities
  • who is willing to complete the application, which does require collecting information from the individual with aphasia’s current or most recent Speech Language Pathologist
  • who can arrange for consistent transportation for the Intensive Aphasia Program
  • who is willing to work with a supervised UMSLP graduate student clinician
  • who is willing and able to accompany the individual with aphasia to pre- and post-treatment assessment.
  • and, who is willing to accompany the individual with aphasia for a minimum of 1 session during the Intensive Aphasia Program

Who Will Provide the Treatment Services?

  • Speech-Language Pathology graduate studentclinicians at The University of Montana RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinicunder the close supervision of ASHA-certified, Montana-state licensedSpeech-Language Pathologists.

Where Will This Program Be Held?

The University of Montana

RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic

634 Eddy

Missoula, MT 59812

Basic Requirements for Consideration

  • Identify yourself as someone who is interested in this program or be referred by an SLP in the community; then request an application from The University of Montana RiteCare Speech, Language, & Hearing Clinic
  • Complete application and submit to The UM RiteCare Speech, Language, & Hearting Clinic prior to the start date of the Intensive Aphasia Program

What Will Happen After We Submit an Application?

  • You will be contacted by The UM RiteCare Speech, Language, & Hearing Clinic to indicate that your application has been received
  • You may be asked to provide additional information, if needed
  • Once the application has been reviewed, you will be notified if the individual with aphasiameets our criteria for this special program(according to completed application materials). If the individual with aphasia is not well suited for this program, we will do our best to recommend alternative options in our clinic or the community when possible

What Happens When We Are Accepted to the UM-BSAP Intensive Aphasia Program?

  • The individual with aphasia will be scheduled for a pretreatment assessment that will take place prior to the start date of the Intensive Aphasia Program. This assessment will last approximately 4 hours and may be divided across multiple days as needed
  • A nonrefundable deposit of $100 that will hold the assessment appointments must be received by The UM RiteCare Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic within 1 week after your appointment is scheduled. If payment is not received, the appointment will be released to another family.
  • The individual with aphasia must completethe pretreatment assessment in order to have a place guaranteed in the Intensive Aphasia Program. Without the assessment we will be unable to provide treatment.

Total Cost and Payment Information

  • Total cost of the program is $350. This includes the assessment, andall UM-BSAP therapies.

Contact Information:

To request an application and receive further information regarding The University of Montana Big Sky Aphasia Program, contact:

Annie Kennedy, M.A., CCC-SLP

Office: 406-243-2375

Email:

UM RiteCare Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic

634 Eddy, Missoula, MT 59812

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