Affiliate Highlight: Integrative Reconnective Aphasia Therapy

We’re continuing with our affiliate highlight series, this time turning our eye to Integrative Reconnective Aphasia Therapy in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania and with online services nationwide.

Learn What Makes Integrative Reconnective Aphasia Therapy Unique

We provide online speech and language therapy for individuals with aphasia and apraxia. Our programs are individualized, tailored to the needs and goals of our patients and their families.

We have an affordable, intensive online program, which we created so our patients can determine their level of intensity, accommodating wherever they are in the recovery process. It allows for flexible scheduling, avoids traveling hassle or costs, and eliminates any physical independence requirements since a person can be treated in the comfort of their home.

Lastly, we strive to develop unique resources and ongoing support for anyone involved in this challenging road to recovery, targeting individuals with aphasia and their loved ones, as well as speech-language pathologists and medical professionals.

Our resource page is constantly being updated, and we have published a book, After Aphasia: A guide to rebuilding communication after a stroke as well as a workbook— “Working Outside the Workbook”—in the past year.

Our non-traditional “workbook” was created to provide tasks that can be implemented at home with anyone—even online with a partner. It details specific task instructions, ways to manipulate stimuli to adjust to the needs of the patient, and cueing strategies to help support the individual with aphasia.

We truly want to help improve the quality of life of anyone facing this challenging disorder, give them hope that there is life after aphasia, encourage them to celebrate every victory, big or small!

Here Are Some of the Services They Offer

We offer online speech and language therapy for individuals with aphasia and apraxia, with both non-intensive and intensive options.

We create customized programs for each one of our patients, as we know that no two people with aphasia are alike. We also provide home practice programs that allow for them to work on their language skills outside of our sessions.

We have a communication/support group for our individuals with aphasia, and also have a separate support group for our caregivers. We provide consultative services for those who may not be interested in participating in therapy sessions with us or are unable to afford them but are interested in learning ways they continue to work on their recovery at home with a communication partner. This consultative service is also for speech-language pathologists who are interested in learning about new, creative techniques for targeting the language and cognitive skills of individuals with aphasia.

They Have Great Success Stories

I recently took on a patient with PPA. I have been working with both him and his wife, and they felt lost in the whole process (what to do next, what services should they pursue, what to expect, etc.) after receiving the diagnosis.

We’ve been working on a variety of language and cognitive tasks to help maximize his communication, and his wife has been involved in every session so she can also continue to work on the same goals outside of our sessions.

They both have shared with me that they went through several speech-language pathologists before finding me, and feel that I am the first one who took the time to personalize tasks for him and to counsel and educate them on expectations and feelings that they might both be experiencing.

His wife expressed that before, if he couldn’t communicate something, he would shut down and isolate himself. Now, he is more patient with himself and others, and not only makes additional attempts and continues to work at it, but often succeeds.

To be able to do something like this for a couple going through such a devastating disease process is rewarding. This population is very underserved, and I believe there needs to be more done to support them in their journey.

The Pandemic Changed a Few Things…

We have offered online services since opening our practice in March 2019. We currently do not provide in-person services.

They Specifically Offer

Services specifically for people with primary progressive aphasia
Support groups or counseling specifically for caregivers
Online discussion groups, support groups, events, or online one-on-one therapy

More Information

Do you live in the Canonsburg, Pennsylvania area? Or they offer online services nationwide. Contact the Integrative Reconnective Aphasia Therapy for speech services and support groups.

The NAA is highlighting our affiliates to connect people with aphasia and caregivers to their services and to celebrate the amazing work they’re doing.