Aphasia

What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is

an acquired communication disorder
most often caused by stroke, brain injury or brain illness

Aphasia can affect a person's ability

to speak
understand language
read, and/or
write

Intelligence is not affected.

Aphasia masks a person's inherent competence.

A person with aphasia

knows what he/she wants
can make his/her own decisions
is a competent adult

Aphasia Awareness

Approximately 5% of people understand aphasia(1). More than 30% of people who have a stroke are affected by aphasia. In Canada, over 120,000 people are living with aphasia(2).

Our clients made the aphasia awareness video above in June 2015 to help others understand more about aphasia.

Aphasia Resources Online

Aphasia Institute
www.aphasia.ca

Aphasia Recovery Connection (ARC)
www.facebook.com/aphasiaARC

Aphasia Access
www.aphasiaaccess.org

Aphasia Therapy Online
www.aphasiatherapyonline.com

Helpful Resources

Disability Tax Credit: The Canada Revenue Agency is asking organizations to share information about the Disability Tax Credit. Please read the message below from the CRA that explains the DTC, and provides links for further information.

The disability tax credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps persons with disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay. Being eligible for the DTC can also open the door to other government programs such as the child disability benefit (CDB).
For more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/dtc, or phone 1-800-959-8281 FREE.

Access 2 Entertainment: The Access 2 card allows persons with a disability to receive a discount or free admission for their caregiver at various attractions and theatres across Canada.
Visit http://easterseals.ca/english/access-2-entertainment-card for more information.

Disability Travel Card: The Disability Travel Card offers discounts to caregivers when traveling with a person with a disability. Participating partners include: Via Rail, Greyhound bus lines and Coach Canada.
For more information, visit: http://easterseals.ca/english/disability-travel-card

Aphasia Wallet Cards: An aphasia wallet cards allows people with aphasia to share helpful communication tips with others while in the community. View or print our template below.

Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs)

Approximately 12 ICAPs, or Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs exist in the world.

An ICAP involves intensity (at least 3 hours per day for at least 2 weeks) and comprehensive programming, which involves:

individual and group therapy
evidence-based treatment programs
technology
education

Click here for more information about Ontario's first Comprehensive Aphasia Program (CAP) at Monarch House, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Other Community Aphasia Programs in Ontario, Canada

Aphasia Institute
Toronto, Ontario
416-226-3636
www.aphasia.ca

SAM Aphasia Program (Seniors Activation Maintenance)
Hamilton / Flamborough
www.samprogram.ca

ARTC (Adult Recreation Therapy Centre) Aphasia Program
Brantford, Ontario
www.artc.ca

H.A. Leeper Speech & Hearing Clinic
London, Ontario
www.uwo.ca/fhs/haleeper

Aphasia and Communication Disabilities Program, March of Dimes Canada
(formerly York Durham Aphasia Centre)
York / Durham Area
www.marchofdimes.ca/acdp

Niagara Aphasia Program
905-371-1569

Aphasia Centre of Ottawa
www.aphasiaottawa.org/

Waterloo Wellington Regional Aphasia Program (WWRAP)
Guelph, Waterloo, Kitchener, Fergus, Elmira, Erin, Cambridge
(519) 824-6000 Ext. 4357
www.sjhcg.ca/outreach-program-participants/aphasia-program

Joseph Brant Wellness House
Burlington
905-632-5358
www.jbmh.com

Stroke Survivors Support Groups

Hamilton Young Stroke Survivors
1-800-263-3463 ext. 7734

Brain Injury Association of Peel and Halton
Mississauga Support Group
http://biaph.com/support-groups/mississauga-support-group/

Stroke Recovery Canada Burlington Chapter
www.srcburlington.net

Peel-Halton Young Stroke Survivor Support Group
416-425-3463 x7715
www.physs.org

Milton Stroke Survivors Support Group
http://www.mississaugahaltonhealthline.ca/displayservice.aspx?id=160604

Halton Stroke Fellowship
1-800-263-3463 ext 7744

Kitchener/Waterloo Stroke Survivor
Wellington
www.kwstrokesurvivor.com

Other Stroke Groups Resources

Oakville Strokers
The Oakville Strokers is a community charity offering an aquatic, social and recreational program to stroke survivors. The Oakville Strokers became a registered charity in 1998 and make their home in the Glen Abbey Community Centre.
www.oakvillestrokers.com

'Sauga Stroke Breakers

The Oakville Strokers is a community charity offering an aquatic, social and recreational program to stroke survivors. The Oakville Strokers became a registered charity in 1998 and make their home in the Glen Abbey Community Centre.

(1) Patterson, R., Robert, A., Berry, R., Cain, M., Iqbal, M., Code, C., Rochon, E., & Leonard, C. (2015). Raising public awareness of aphasia in southern Ontario, Canada: A survey. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1 - 6.
(2) Rose, M., & Attard, M. (2015). Practices and challenges in community aphasia groups in Australia: Results of a national survey. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 1-11.

Halton Aphasia Centre operating as Halton-Peel Community Aphasia Programs