Sarah Arnett, one of our esteemed Aphasia Rehab Lab research assistants, has just been awarded acceptance into the prestigious University Scholar Program.  She will be working on a project to assess the discourse of people with aphasia in their home environments.  CONGRATULATIONS, SARAH!  More about the program from https://universityscholars.uconn.edu/:

“The University Scholar Program is one of the most prestigious programs for undergraduates at the University of Connecticut. Available to students from all of the University’s schools and colleges, the University Scholar Program allows students to design and pursue an in-depth research or creative project and to craft an individualized plan of study that supports their intellectual interests during their final three semesters. Each student is mentored by an advisory committee of three faculty.

No more than 30 University Scholars are selected each year. Admission is based on an application submitted during the first semester of a student’s junior year. Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary faculty committee that looks for innovative projects and academically rigorous course selection. Graduation as a University Scholar recognizes a student’s exceptional engagement in research and/or creative endeavors.”

Amanda Wadams, PhD student and Allison Finn, BA, presented their research at this year’s LangFest.  We will miss Allison as she goes on to do her MA at Boston University but expect to hear of more great accomplishments from her!

Our last aphasia group meeting was today.  Group members came up with several ideas on how to stay sharp over the summer.  I’ve added a few things as well. 

 Thank you all for your hard work this year and thanks to all of our fabulous graduate students who have been instrumental in making this program the success it is!

Having aphasia means making significant life adjustments but so does living with someone with aphasia!  Join us for a discussion of the challenges that family and loved ones experience.  Whether you are new to this or  you’ve had several years of experience, please consider attending this one time meeting to problem solve with others who understand.

Date: March 26, 2018

Time 1:00-2:00 PM

Meet:  Lobby of UConn Speech and Hearing Clinic

PLEASE RSVP:  reneecayer7@gmail.com

This semester several of our aphasia group participants worked on a newsletter.  This served several purposes including practicing writing skills for some and using oral-verbal language skills to describe photos for others.  The primary goal was for our members to showcase their many skills and activities post stroke.  We have surfers, mountain boarders, skiers, artists, golfers, and world travelers who are not letting aphasia and other symptoms of stroke hold them back!  Please take a look at their work here:  Aphasia Newsletter- By people with aphasia, for people with aphasia.

We in the aphasia rehab lab realize how lucky we are that so many people with aphasia are willing to contribute to science and to participate in our studies and in our aphasia groups.  Some have found their participation so rewarding that they, or their family members have chosen to donate to aphasia research.  Our most recent donation is earmarked to prioritize the needs of people with mild aphasia.  Those with mild aphasia may not receive the services they need because they are thought to be “good enough.”  We’ve spoken to several people though who are working hard on persisting reading and writing deficits and who have a goal to get back to work.  We want to help make that happen.  If you would like to donate to aphasia research you may contact me directly or make your contribution online.   

The Clinical Aphasiology Conference is my favorite conference to attend.  The scientists who are advancing our field turn up every year with exiting data from their labs.  This year it included an update on data emerging from the Pirate program at the VA in Pittsburg, data collection from the popular Constant Therapy App, and findings from the Center for the Neurobiology of Language Recovery. They are always held in beautiful locations– this year at Snowbird in Utah.   Find out more about how you can be part of treatment studies at the University of Connecticut and help to do our part to advance the field of aphasiology!

Congratulations to Shannon Hughes who ran an intensive treatment study and presented her findings to all of the first and second year students.  Her thesis was entitled, “Schuell’s Stimulation Approach Administered Intensively for an Individual with Chronic, Severe Non-Fluent Aphasia.”  Congrats, Shannon!

BU Sargent College Symposium on Aphasia

UConn aphasia group backed by the talented Rubyfruit!