National Aphasia Synergy Inc

About National Aphasia Synergy*

National Aphasia Synergy (NAS) is a new nonprofit organization that promotes an aphasia community led by peers. 

 

Synergy organization was founded by and will be guided by people with aphasia (PWA). This is life participation at its core!

Aphasia is a language disorder and can affect speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Judgement and intelligence are intact. The most common cause of aphasia is stroke or other brain injury. 

There are over 2 million people in the United States living with aphasia. That’s more than twice as many as those living with Parkinson’s disease and 60 times more than ALS, but less than 14% of the general population knows what aphasia is - until it happens to them or a loved one.

“Aphasia is a tough blow. It interferes with communication, social connection, psychological well-being.”  (Katarina Haley, PhD, CCC-SLP, UNC Chapel Hill)

Aphasia affects a large part of the population, and the incidence of depression after aphasia is estimated to be 60% over the first year. Sadly, support for aphasia has been very thin.

NAS was developed to help support people with aphasia. We can best serve those with similar needs by networking local aphasia groups and individuals with aphasia in order to share ideas, resources, and support in a central place. NAS website will be available to aphasia groups across the country as well as individuals. Our strength is sharing the stories of wins and challenges. 

 

NAS Mission Statement 

 

NAS is a peer-led community of people with aphasia driven to: 

•  educate people with aphasia (PWA) 

•  empower PWA to use technology to improve communication skills 

• promote peer-befriending with new or struggling PWA 

•  develop a national PWA community 

•  encourage optimism and a positive outlook in PWA 

 

NAS Vision Statement

Our vision is that one day, the population of the United States will have a greater understanding of aphasia, and as a result, all people with aphasia will be treated with respect and kindness.

NAS will be a national community serving people with aphasia to end the isolation.

Our website is intended to be a rich source for people with aphasia. 

Our plan is for people with aphasia to help other people with aphasia thrive. 

The Synergy organization will offer PWA:

• strategies

• tips and tools

• information and support for hobbies, volunteer opportunities, or jobs

• book and article resources, including works authored by people with aphasia

• stories about people with aphasia and an opportunity to share stories

• discussions and chats

• resources for people with aphasia

• links to newspapers and other media across the nation

We need you to help us grow. Every little bit will help us to provide a strong online presence for the aphasia community. We need your help to make our vision a reality. 

National Aphasia Synergy Inc is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization with a Tax ID of 87-3330394. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and do not represent payment for goods or services received. 

 

NAS Board of Directors

• Trish Hambridge (PWA) – President - Apple - Dunedin, Florida 

• Amy Walters (PWA) – V.P. – Regulatory & Clinical Affairs - Newport Beach, California 

• Helen Ansted – Secretary/Treasurer – Finance - San Jose, California 

• Kait Moses M.A., CCC-SLP - U of Michigan Aphasia Program – Plymouth, Michigan

• Bruce Farrell (PWA) - Director of Proposals for Plante Moran – Detroit, Michigan

* Donation - Download and mail our form: here

Aphasia Center of California at Oakland

The mission of the Aphasia Center is to enhance communication skills, quality of life, and overall well-being for all those affected by aphasia. 

We pioneer innovative communication therapies using a life participation model, and are an international resource of expertise in the field through our community-based center, cutting-edge research, quality staffing, personalized service, deep understanding, and compassion for those whose lives have been impacted by aphasia.

Aphasia Center of California: here

CSU East Bay Aphasia Treatment Program at Hayward

The Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders and the Norma S. and Ray R. Rees Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic offers an innovative and cutting-edge group treatment program for persons with aphasia.

 The program is proudly founded on the principles of the Life Participation Approach for Aphasia, championed worldwide by leading aphasiologists. This approach places the life concerns of persons with aphasia at the heart of clinical decision-making. 

Further, this approach prioritizes the meaningful participation of persons with aphasia in society. ATP provides a rich social environment for persons with aphasia to interact with peers who have aphasia, graduate student clinicians, trained volunteers, and program faculty who are all nationally certified and state-licensed speech-language pathologists.

CSU East Bay Aphasia Treatment Program: here

Chit-Chat Aphasia Group at Los Gatos/San Jose

Chit-Chat Aphasia Group

"You are not alone."

• A safe place to practice new communication skills
• People with aphasia need to meet each other
• A place to feel hope
• A place to feel normal 

• Chit-Chat Aphasia Group flyer - here

Registration is required.  e-mail:  Kristine.Kidger@hcahealthcare.com

Meets 3pm on the first Wednesday of the month

Mission Oak Campus, Cafeteria Conference Room

15891 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd, Los Gatos CA

Aphasia Recovery Connection Website

ARC (Aphasia Recovery Connection) is great!... enough said (kidding ;)).

Christine Huggins and David Dow are young stroke survivors with aphasia. They created an online forum of information, questions, tips, and strategies for people with aphasia, their family and friends, and professionals. Check it out:

http://www.aphasiarecoveryconnection.org/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Aphasia.Recovery.Connection/

Speech Therapy - San Jose State University

I have moderate expessive and receptive aphasia; severe verbal apraxia.  I have been attending for 2 years and I like it.

"Students, faculty, staff and local residents are welcome to inquire about our services. Referrals are accepted at any time."  ~SJSU Speech Therapy web

"The goal of KACCD is to train students in the service delivery of speech-language pathology. Thus, services are provided by SJSU students enrolled in our programs. The students are supervised by our licensed and certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists." ~  ~SJSU Speech Therapy web

"Services are provided at no charge to registered SJSU students and at a competitive cost to all others. The KACCD does not accept insurance or other third party reimbursements. Fees are paid in advance at the beginning of each semester for therapy. Most sessions are one or two 50-minute visits per week."  ~SJSU Speech Therapy web  

You can find it at SJSU - Speech Therapy