June 30, 2008
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), ranked the nation's "#1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America ", announced a new clinical, outpatient program for individuals with aphasia. The RIC Intensive Aphasia Therapy Program is a four-week long, intensive communication program starting Sept. 2, 2008 that is designed to improve communications skills and ultimately help individuals attain a greater quality of life.
The program is based on recent studies that show that individuals with aphasia greatly benefit from treatment provided intensively over a short period of time. RIC's new program is four-weeks long and participants receive up to 30 hours of therapy per week increasing the possibility of improved communication.
Daily treatments include:
- Two hours of individual speech and language therapy
- One hour of computer-based treatment using RIC's one-of-a-kind language programs developed at the RIC Center for Aphasia Research
- Two hours of group therapy that target reading, writing and conversation skills
- One hour of specialized treatments such as PACE, CILT, or augmentative communication
- Caregiver workshops and support exercises
The therapy you will receive in the RIC Intensive Aphasia Therapy Program is based on the latest, cutting-edge aphasia research being conducted firsthand by RIC's own highly-trained specialists at the RIC Center for Aphasia Research. When pioneering aphasia treatments are being developed just down the hall, you not only receive that treatment faster but straight from the hands of those who created and tested it.
Who Can Benefit From This Program?
The RIC Intensive Aphasia Therapy Program is open to all individuals with aphasia, but must be at least 18 years old. Participants should also:
- Be medically stable
- Be able to endure the intensity of the program
Be independent in mobility and self-care, or be accompanied by a caregiver at all times
Click on the following links for an application package and admission procedures:
• Application Checklist and Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• General Patient Application (PDF)
• Medical Information Form (PDF)
Forms can be mailed to: RIC - Center for Aphasia Research, 345 E. Superior St. #1353 , Chicago , IL 60611 OR Faxed to: RIC - Center for Aphasia Research, 312-238-2208
The Center for Aphasia Research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, is also seeking stroke survivors with aphasia to participate in several studies that investigate how computer technology can help in the treatment of aphasia. All studies use computer treatment to simulate therapy with a clinician, with the goal of improving speaking, listening, and reading skills.
Participants are not required to have any prior computer skills. Also, they do not need to have access to a computer-we loan them a laptop for the duration of treatment study. For one of the studies, participants do not need to live near Chicago - delivery of treatment is done over the internet.
For more information on the RIC Intensive Aphasia Therapy Program or any of our research projects, call 312-238-6163.
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