Civista Healthy Today - Winter 2012 - (Page 9)

hen Clinton resident Charles West suffered a stroke at age 71, his life drastically changed. The stroke left the once social retired government worker communicating by only gestures and use of a few unintelligible words. West’s daughter Linda says, “Before he had the stroke, he would stop and talk to everyone we saw at the grocery store. He was a talker. Now, he doesn’t even want to say hello.” West was diagnosed with a condition called severe expressive aphasia, a language impairment reducing his ability to speak and write. Simple everyday tasks such as communicating his basic wants and needs to loved ones became a struggle. learning that his Medicare plan would cover the majority of the cost, West decided to try it. Soon after returning home from the hospital, West was seen by a speech pathologist who introduced him to the idea of an augmentative Back to Joking Around and alternative communication (AAC) device. West is making great gains in his ability to comAAC devices assist those with impairment municate with a click of a touch-screen button of production or comprehension of spoken and has even increased his speech production. or written language. AAC When he presses a button, devices can be as simple as a a man’s voice emanates communication book or as from the device: “Gobi is high tech as an Apple iPad my friend.” West gives us or DynaVox. (DynaVox is a a nudge and a mischievous portable computer that assists smirk indicating that this is Call us at 301-609-4413 to communication and can his lady friend. schedule an appointment increase one’s quality of life.) “My dad has always been today. If you have quesDevices are chosen specifia jokester,” Linda says as tions regarding any of the cally for an individual’s needs she watches her father with speech therapy programs, and severity of condition. a smile. And now, with the please call 301-609-4290. West’s speech pathologist recdevice, he has returned more ommended a DynaVox. After to his old self. Can Therapy Help Your Loved One? Civista Medical Center offers evaluations and treatment for both adult and pediatric clients who would like to use an AAC device to communicate. This device is appropriate for those who have good understanding of language and for individuals who have use of at least one hand to operate the device. With a referral from your primary care physician for an initial speech evaluation, various options of AAC devices can be discussed with a speech pathologist. In addition, Civista is pleased to announce new speech therapy programs including accent modification, an aphasia conversation group and pediatric speech language therapy. We are now offering evaluations and treatment of schoolaged children who have expressive and receptive language disorders, stuttering, learning disabilities, articulation disorders, traumatic brain injury, executive functioning disorders, auditory processing disorders and hearing impairments. WINTER 2012 | 9 A Boost from Technology Schedule an appointment

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Civista Healthy Today - Winter 2012

Civista Healthy Today - Winter 2012
Table of Contents
Health Beat
It Takes Two
A New Voice
Don't Skip the Screening
Heart Smart
Q+A
Foundation Focus
Healthy Happenings

Civista Healthy Today - Winter 2012