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Programs & Services

 

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Our programs at a glance (click on image for descriptions)
 
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List of programs

List of services

Home visit


A Home Visit is our first contact with a person interested in attending Aphasia Centre of Ottawa. The purpose of this visit is to describe the programs offered at our Centre to both the person with aphasia and their family.

During the visit and together with the family, arrangements are made to attend the program that is most appropriate. Programs range from Individual Therapy to Transition Group Therapy to Supportive Conversation Groups. Programs are also offered to family members and they range from Individual/Family Therapy to Facilitated Peer Support Groups and Crisis and Case Management.

Co-Therapy groups


Therapy is provided in a small group supported by a Family Therapist/Social Worker and a Speech-Language Pathologist. Groups meet once a week for two hours over a twelve week period. Family groups will be offered every 4th session in which family members are invited to join the therapists and members in the groups. The co-therapy groups provide a safe and emotionally supportive environment to learn and try out different communication strategies. Concurrently, participants experience themselves as more competent in social interactions and self-confidence increases.
Please call us at 613-567-1119 or email at sibly@aphasiaottawa.org for more information about this program. IMPORTANT: Please include the word "Request" in the email subject.

Supportive conversation groups


In this popular Day Program, trained volunteers facilitate conversation in small groups of people who have aphasia.

The primary focus of these groups is social interaction - the sharing and exchange of ideas by whatever means. In addition to speech, participants are encouraged to use gesture, drawing, facial expression, and body language.

For people with aphasia, especially, having successful experiences communicating helps to build a more positive self-image and the confidence to continue interacting with others.
 

 

Reading & writing program


This two hour program, mediated by a speech-language pathologist and 1-2 trained volunteers, allows for members to practice and improve their reading and writing skills in a small group setting.


New Kanata Program

Co-Therapy Groups (Speech Therapy and Social Support)
Two new co-therapy groups are now available in Kanata, at the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre. These groups provide Speech Therapy and Social Support together, in a group format and are facilitated by a Speech Language Pathologist and Social Worker. It should be noted that family members may also participate in these sessions. Feedback indicates that including family members in our sessions is one of the best forms of support and improves communication between family members.

Physiotherapy
There is also the option for participants to enroll in an hour of physiotherapy while attending our program. Directed by a registered physiotherapist, this is an active and dynamic program for people with stroke who experience shoulder, arm, and hand impairments. Goals of the program include improving flexibility, strength, posture and overall functional use of the shoulder, arm, and hand. There will also be an educational component which includes an overview of the upper extremity anatomy, care of the hemiplegic arm and ideas for home activities. While these groups run for 8 week periods they are open groups and participants can join at any time.

Please call us at 613-567-1119 or email Sibly at sibly@aphasiaottawa.org if you would like to participate in this program. IMPORTANT: Please include the word "Request" in the email subject.


Summer day program


This is the fifth year offering the very successful Summer Day Program. This program provides an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. Activities scheduled for the 2006 summer program include: Supportive Conversation groups, Painting, Gardening, Cooking, and an outing. This program is supported by trained volunteers and supervised by a Registered Speech Language Pathologist and a Registered Social Worker.

It has been shown that participation in activities such as these contributes to improving communication skills, building self-confidence and promoting emotional well-being.


 

Computer training program


The Computer Training Program is offered on an individual basis. The primary objective of this program is to assist members of Aphasia Centre of Ottawa access to computers and the internet. Goals and the directions of the program are based on the member’s personal interests.

Goals that can be targeted:

    • Accessing and navigating within the internet

    • Reconnecting with friends and family via emails

    • Basic word processing

    • Some speech and language therapy using a software package called AphasiaMate

Social Work and Family Resource Room


Help is only a telephone call away. Through the support of the OutCare Foundation and Social Development Canada, Aphasia Centre of Ottawa provides crisis and on going support for all our members. Upon calling the Centre, members can have access to a social worker ready to assist with any questions, problems or crisis situation that may arise. She will be able to do a home visit if necessary. The goal is to respond within 24 hours to any call during the week and within 48 hours if on the weekend. Aphasia Centre of Ottawa can also provide ready access to communication support if needed. The Centre has a Family Resource Room open to all members and the public. We feel it is important to have a single and easily accessible contact person to help when help is needed the most.

You can reach Aphasia Centre of Ottawa by calling 613-567-1119.

Counselling


Counselling is provided by a certified Social Worker who is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Counselling is made more fully accessible to people with aphasia by utilizing the expertise of a Speech-Language Pathologist in a co-therapy format.

Individual, couple, family, and group therapy are available.

Common issues that people seek counseling for include:

    • Self-image and self-respect

    • Marital and family relationships

    • Adolescent / parent relationship

    • Social isolation

    • Stress and depression

    • Anger and frustration

    • Financial and employment worries

Workshops for Family and Friends


Aphasia Centre of Ottawa runs a variety of workshops open to family and friends. The workshops are focused around topics relevant to our families and include the person who has aphasia. Even after living with aphasia for many years, family members benefit from increasing their understanding of aphasia and communication strategies. Workshops have a practical and experiential focus.

Speech and language therapy


Communication for everyday situations is the focus of therapy provided by a registered Speech Language Pathologist.

Therapy is often directed at enabling the person with aphasia to carry out a personal project.

Some examples of personal goals which have been supported are:

    • Reconnecting with long-standing friends

    • Regaining power of attorney

    • Accessing spiritual guidance

    • Discussing medical issues with physicians

    • Changing financial plans

    • Accessing regular community activities

Therapy can be provided on an individual basis or in small groups of two or three persons.

Physiotherapy


This unique program offers participants who have had a stroke and caregivers an opportunity to exercise in a gym environment. Participants will meet individually with Jacquie Levy, physiotherapist, and Chris Rogers, exercise therapist, for a pre-exercise assessment. Although exercising within a group, each client will work on their own individualized program designed by the team. The physiotherapist and exercise therapist will be present at all times during the 8 week session to supervise, monitor, and fine tune each participant’s program. This program will only be offered at our Chapel Street location on Thursdays. Family members who would like to enroll are certainly welcome!!
  Please call Sibly at 613-567-1119 or email at sibly@aphasiaottawa.org if you would like to participate.  IMPORTANT: Please include the word "Request" in the email subject.

Watercolours painting workshop


This program is not being offered at the present time.