A Home Visit is our first contact with a person interested in attending Aphasia Centre of Ottawa. The purpose of this visit is to describe the programs offered at our Centre to both the person with aphasia and their family.

During the visit and together with the family, arrangements are made to attend the program that is most appropriate. Programs range from Individual Therapy to Transition Group Therapy to Supportive Conversation Groups. Programs are also offered to family members and they range from Individual/Family Therapy to Facilitated Peer Support Groups and Crisis and Case Management.

Therapy is provided in a small group supported by a Family Therapist/Social Worker and a Speech-Language Pathologist. Groups meet once a week for two hours over a twelve week period. Family groups will be offered every 4th session in which family members are invited to join the therapists and members in the groups. The co-therapy groups provide a safe and emotionally supportive environment to learn and try out different communication strategies. Concurrently, participants experience themselves as more competent in social interactions and self-confidence increases.

In this popular Day Program, trained volunteers facilitate conversation in small groups of people who have aphasia.

The primary focus of these groups is social interaction - the sharing and exchange of ideas by whatever means. In addition to speech, participants are encouraged to use gesture, drawing, facial expression, and body language.

For people with aphasia, especially, having successful experiences communicating helps to build a more positive self-image and the confidence to continue interacting with others.

This two hour program, mediated by a speech-language pathologist and 1-2 trained volunteers, allows for members to practice and improve their reading and writing skills in a small group setting.

This is the fifth year offering the very successful Summer Day Program. This program provides an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. Activities scheduled for the 2006 summer program include: Supportive Conversation groups, Painting, Gardening, Cooking, and an outing. This program is supported by trained volunteers and supervised by a Registered Speech Language Pathologist and a Registered Social Worker.

It has been shown that participation in activities such as these contributes to improving communication skills, building self-confidence and promoting emotional well-being.

The Computer Training Program is offered on an individual basis. The primary objective of this program is to assist members of Aphasia Centre of Ottawa access to computers and the internet. Goals and the directions of the program are based on the member’s personal interests.

Goals that can be targeted:

• Accessing and navigating within the internet

• Reconnecting with friends and family via emails

• Basic word processing

• Some speech and language therapy using a software package called AphasiaMate

Help is only a telephone call away. Through the support of the OutCare Foundation and Social Development Canada, Aphasia Centre of Ottawa provides crisis and on going support for all our members. Upon calling the Centre, members can have access to a social worker ready to assist with any questions, problems or crisis situation that may arise. She will be able to do a home visit if necessary. The goal is to respond within 24 hours to any call during the week and within 48 hours if on the weekend. Aphasia Centre of Ottawa can also provide ready access to communication support if needed. The Centre has a Family Resource Room open to all members and the public. We feel it is important to have a single and easily accessible contact person to help when help is needed the most.

Counselling is provided by a certified Social Worker who is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Counselling is made more fully accessible to people with aphasia by utilizing the expertise of a Speech-Language Pathologist in a co-therapy format.

Individual, couple, family, and group therapy are available.

Common issues that people seek counseling for include:

• Self-image and self-respect

• Marital and family relationships

• Adolescent / parent relationship

• Social isolation

• Stress and depression

• Anger and frustration

• Financial and employment worries

Aphasia Centre of Ottawa runs a variety of workshops open to family and friends. The workshops are focused around topics relevant to our families and include the person who has aphasia. Even after living with aphasia for many years, family members benefit from increasing their understanding of aphasia and communication strategies. Workshops have a practical and experiential focus.

Communication for everyday situations is the focus of therapy provided by a registered Speech Language Pathologist.

Therapy is often directed at enabling the person with aphasia to carry out a personal project.

Some examples of personal goals which have been supported are:

• Reconnecting with long-standing friends

• Regaining power of attorney

• Accessing spiritual guidance

• Discussing medical issues with physicians

• Changing financial plans

• Accessing regular community activities

Therapy can be provided on an individual basis or in small groups of two or three persons.

This unique program offers participants who have had a stroke and caregivers an opportunity to exercise in a gym environment. Participants will meet individually with Jacquie Levy, physiotherapist, and Chris Rogers, exercise therapist, for a pre-exercise assessment. Although exercising within a group, each client will work on their own individualized program designed by the team. The physiotherapist and exercise therapist will be present at all times during the 8 week session to supervise, monitor, and fine tune each participant’s program. This program will only be offered at our Chapel Street location on Thursdays. Family members who would like to enroll are certainly welcome!!

We are pleased to offer a series of 6 classes with instructor Sibly Hill at the 153 Chapel Street location on Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:30 from October 30 to December 4, 2008. This is a recreational opportunity designed to explore your creative side using various watercolour painting techniques. Participants receive conversational support in a sociable group atmosphere. All materials are supplied. The cost of this series is $220.