Aphasia is an acquired language disorder, which can occur after a brain injury such as a stroke. Lesions to different areas of the brain can result in qualitatively different impairments (i.e. difficulty expressing or comprehending language).Psychologists who have worked with such patients know all too well the debilitating effects it can have on someone's life. Often times, the patient can understand what others are saying, but simply lack the ability to communicate through speech or writing. Several of the patients I have worked with became depressed, withdrawn and isolated after their stroke. Fortunately, certain patients can benefit from augmentative or alternative communication (ACC).
To that end, technology can sometime help patients regain some basic communication skills. Today, I would like to introduce several small, but potentially life changing, iPhone applications created by [Lingraphica]. One of the FREE apps called [SmallTalk Aphasia] allows patients to scroll through common phrases designed to facilitate communication such as, "I have aphasia, I had a stroke, I have trouble speaking, yes, no etc." Other similar apps such [SmallTalk ADL] include common phrases related to activities of daily living. Pictures are provided beside the text to facilitate communication if reading is difficult.There are other, more complex tools such as [Speak it], which will actually say the text you write. These type of apps are undoubtedly useful to patients who have retained the ability to write.
Several of the patients I have worked with became depressed, withdrawn and isolated after their stroke. Fortunately, certain patients can benefit from augmentative or alternative communication . Track Facebook Usage
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