Aphasia Groups

The Aphasia Resource Center at Boston University aims to:

  • provide a supportive environment in which persons living with aphasia, their families, and their friends can share experiences
  • provide recreational and educational resources
  • educate members about local and national resources
  • educate the broader Boston community about aphasia and related disorders.

Visits to the Aphasia Resource Center are by appointment only.

Please contact Elizabeth Hoover at (617) 353-8967 ehoover@bu.edu, or Jerry Kaplan (617) 353-9687 jhkaplan@bu.edu for more information.

No advance notification is needed to attend the monthly Saturday Aphasia Community Group.

Aphasia Community Group

Now in its 20th year, the Aphasia Community Group provides education, support, socialization, and resources for those whose lives have been touched by aphasia and related disorders.  Each month presentations on treatment, recreation, and/or family support are offered by group members and guests. In the last portion of each session, participants meet in small "breakout" sessions to share ideas, feelings, and concerns. Family members, meet separately from persons with aphasia.  Light snacks and beverages are provided.  There is no charge to attend the Aphasia Community Group.


Faculty: Jerome Kaplan

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

  • November:  NO SESSION
    December 19th:  Annual Pot Luck Holiday Party 

 

For more information, call 617 353-9687 or email: JHKaplan@BU.edu

Other Sample Group Descriptions

Please see the Fall 2009 Program for meeting times and locations.

Conversation Group

This group addresses functional communication through talking, gesturing,  drawing, and writing.  Drawing upon our experiences and interests, participants will practice using effective strategies to exchange ideas and develop connections through communication.  

Aphasia Book Club

This group meets to discuss the content and ideas generated through reading a text. The “book” is ~300 pages in length, and is chosen by the group members from a choice of 4-5 offered texts. Group members may read the text from print or via CD.

Newsletter Group

Many individuals with aphasia struggle to produce written language. This group focuses on the fundamentals of writing simple sentences, working towards more complex narratives. By the end of the semester, the group will produce a newsletter, The Aphasia Times, on behalf of the Aphasia Community Resource Center. Group members will be encouraged to work in teams on specific tasks designed to meet their individual writing goals.

Computer Group

This group teaches basic computer skills in an aphasia-friendly environment. Group members will navigate the internet, attempt to communicate with others using email, and use other computer programs of their choosing. The group focuses on increasing communication amongst group members and improving discrete forms of language such as, reading, typing, and following auditory instructions in functional computer activities

Aphasia Film Club

This Group meets to discuss the content and ideas generated through watching a film.  The film will be viewed in sections over the course of the semester and discussed weekly as a group.  (Tentative film:  Last Chance Harvey)

Writing Group

This group works on the fundamentals of writing and spelling at a single word level progressing to simple sentences. Tasks will focus on functional language to help with daily challenges such as list making, internet searches and email.

Community Connection

This group uses structured activities to focus conversation around central themes or ideas and ends with a community visit.   In each session, we will work hierarchically through the chosen theme allowing group members to build on vocabulary and increase their communicative effectiveness.  In the last week, the group will visit a local place that exemplifies the theme studied throughout the semester.  Our aim is to keep each session meaningful and interesting, creating opportunities to share ideas, experiences and have fun.

Function and Fitness Group

This session will focus on enhancing walking ability, balance and daily mobility.  The skills learned will help to improve participants’ ability to engage in community activities.  Participants should be able to walk independently in the household AND at least 2 blocks in the community (with or without a cane or brace).

Games Group

Join us for a fun hour each week of playing games.  Using a wide variety of your favorite board games, we will work on coordination, fine motor skills and communication skills, along with exploring fun activities that can be done at home as well as at Sargent.

Performing Arts Group

Do you love to sing or play an instrument? Enjoy reading poetry? Do you like to dance? Are you theatrical? Come join us as we work weekly to practice and develop our individual and group talents.  Everyone has some talent.  We'll help you find it.  Group members will put on a show at the end of the semester for the aphasia community group.