Support Groups

COVID-19 (May 5, 2021): Home visits, communication groups, caregiver groups and couples counseling are available virtually (videoconference). New referrals are accepted.Community-based agency dedicated to the long-term support of people affected by aphasia, a language disorder that can occur in persons who have had a stroke and often after another injury to the brain speech-language pathologists, social workers, and communicative disorders assistants in partnership with other community-based professional colleagues and trained volunteers, provide programs to help people adjust to living with aphasia and to again be active participants in the community services are also available for people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)Services: Enhanced Professional Intervention and Co-Therapy Groups: For people who are re-entering the community following rehab/day hospital treatment * Participants meet once weekly over a 4-week period for two hours, in smaller groups of 3 to 4 people with professional facilitators Communication and Counselling Groups: Speech-language staff supported by trained volunteers, facilitate conversations in small groups of people who have aphasia * The primary focus of these groups is communication - the sharing and exchange of ideas by whatever means e.g. speech, gesture, drawing, facial expression and body language Individual/Family and Group Speech-Language Therapy and Counselling: Support for everyday situations is the focus of therapy provided by speech language and social work staff * Individual therapy is often directed at enabling the person with aphasia with specific communicative goals or to carry out a personal project e.g. accessing regular community activities * reconnecting with long-standing friends * discussing medical issues with physicians Activity Groups: Facilitated by communicative disorders assistants with support of trained volunteers * Small groups of two or three persons, where participants carry out a personal project e.g. writing emails to family/friends, learning new technology, creation of Life History/Communication Books to facilitate communication with family, friends and other participants in ACO programs Counselling and communication support for emotional distress, regaining power of attorney, changing financial plans, accessing M.A.I.D (Medical Assistance in Dying) services * Individual, couple, family, and group counselling/therapy available Individual, couple, family, and group therapy available Caregiver Support Groups: Spouses and family members participate in monthly meetings facilitated by a social worker Physiotherapy Groups: Groups of three to four persons participate in one-hour individualized therapy programs, under the supervision of a physiotherapist and clinical trainer, with support from trained volunteers Volunteer Training: Volunteers learn effective communication techniques for conversational partnerships with people with aphasia and to provide program support for the specific groups and individuals to whom they are assigned Workshops and Information Seminars: Customized according to group needs