Speech and Language

Approximately half of stroke survivors have difficulty with communication. Many of our members have aphasia, a term used to describe language impairment following a stroke and others have dysarthria, a difficulty with speech affecting rate, volume or clarity.

We assess communication, looking at how well a person can understand information, both spoken and written and how well they can express themselves, including all ways of communicating, such as drawing and gesture. We use this information to work towards individual goals in the group setting and advise how to make communication most effective.

Delighted to be accredited by Communication Access UK

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Living with Aphasia in the Community and how SAS helps

Aphasia is a long term condition and while some people do make a full recovery of speech the Stroke Association estimates that 30-43% of people with aphasia will remain severely affected in the long term. Research has shown that confidence, opportunities to communicate and supportive conversation partners have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life post stroke (Kagan et al 2001).

What we do

Communication is the key word of our work at SAS.

The conversation group at SAS provides members with the opportunity and optimal environment for developing and maintaining communication. By establishing friendships with other group members, building confidence and self-esteem through participation this assists our members to adjust to life post stroke.

We use our specialist skills to observe, listen and adjust our communication styles to enable all members to understand and participate in the group. We ensure when planning our groups that information is accessible and provided in multiple formats to support each individual’s understanding.

We encourage members to use written key words, pictures, gesture and drawing to support speech and understanding, which is known as supported conversation.

Aims of our conversation group

– To provide an opportunity for supported conversation

– To provide time for members to contribute to everyday interactions through optimising their communication skills

– To provide an opportunity for members to increase their confidence in interactions with others

– To monitor interaction and maintenance of communication skills

Aims of our discussion group

– To involve every group member in seeking and giving opinions

– To provide an opportunity for members to hear others points of view and increase confidence in communicating their own thoughts and feelings

– To provide opportunities for those members with communication impairments to be supported in interacting within a larger group