September 2009

Asphasia no barrier to social life

Peninsula Health’s social aphasia groups help people with the condition take part in community life.

They get together to chat, go on outings to cafés, galleries and gardens and engage with other residents of the Peninsula.

‘The group provides a friendly, non-threatening environment—with speech pathologists present—to help everyone join in,’ said Peninsula Health Speech Pathologist Naomi Patterson.

Aphasia is a language disability caused by brain injury.

It causes difficulty with speaking, writing, reading and understanding.

It is caused by stroke, head injury, tumours, infections and inflammations that damage the language centres of the brain.

‘Aphasia affects every person differently,’ Ms Patterson said.

‘Some people only have mild difficulties, others have severe communication problems.

‘It can affect everyday communication, relationships and living and can result in social isolation.’

Members agreed the group activities provided opportunities to get together to understand the condition.

‘Communication isn’t just speech.

‘During group sessions we draw, write, speak, gesture and use communication aids such as pictures to communicate,’ Ms Patterson said.

‘People who attend the group often gain confidence with speaking and communicating.’

The group marked Speech Pathology Week—August 23–29—and is this year celebrating its Communicate to Participate theme.

The theme highlights how communication difficulties can impact on day-to-day life and activities.

There are two social aphasia groups on the Peninsula, one in Rye and one in Frankston North.

•          For more information contact Peninsula Health Speech Pathologist Fiona Chan on 9784 8703.