APHASIA CENTER OF ACADIANA
MISSIONTo provide services and support to persons with neurological impairment, particularly persons with aphasia or other neurological communication disorders, in the Acadiana area, as they strive to regain independence in daily life.
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VISIONA world where people living with neurological impairment, particularly persons with aphasia, have the resources and the opportunities continue living productive, purposeful, and meaningful lives.
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LONG TERM GOALIncreased options and locations for persons with neurological communication disorders and their families for social support and to increase participation in their lives/community.
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A Little Bit More About Us
- The Aphasia Center is a non-profit organization designed to support individuals with aphasia. It was started by Rose Shuff, who is a person with aphasia and Jack Damico, PhD., CCC-SLP at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2010 and has continued to grow since.
- We provide services to people with neurological communication deficits following events such as stroke or brain injury who are trying to regain independence. We do this through:
- Sponsorships we set up with the, University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Speech Language and Hearing Center, to provide speech therapy services to people who cannot afford it or who's insurance may have denied them services.
- Hosting support groups every month at various locations.
- Creating conversation groups (virtual and in-person) for people with aphasia to participate in for social interaction and for practicing communication in a real-life setting.
- Check out our Events page or our google calendar for more specifics.
- We subscribe to the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA, Chapey et al, 2000). The essence of LPAA is to "encourage clinicians and researchers to focus on the real-life goals of people affected by aphasia" (Chapey et al, 2000).
- We strive to focus on the whole person and not just the deficits. We believe that each person has the potential to grow and improve their participation in their lives despite aphasia.
- We strive to focus on the whole person and not just the deficits. We believe that each person has the potential to grow and improve their participation in their lives despite aphasia.
Meet Our Team
Our Board of Directors are strictly volunteer
Rose Shuff
Founder/CEO |
Jamie Azios, PhD, CCC-SLP
President & Vp of Research |
Ashley Kidd, M.S. CCC-SLP
VP of Communications |
Christine Weill, PhD, CCC-SLP
VP of Board Communications |
Claire Thom
VP of Events |
Kim Warren
VP of Finance |
Our Committee Heads
Maria Mengis
Director of University Services |
Shelby Matt
Media Chair |
Emily Rosamond
Volunteer Chair |
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Research for a ReasonWe partner with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Communication Disorders DepartmentUL Lafayette's specialty is "applied research that solves real-world problems. Sustainability, healthcare, new economies, new technologies, new processes, new products, new ideas — those are today’s challenges."
We feel like this fits our vision to increase accessibility and treatment options for people with aphasia. |
INDIVIDUAL AFFILIATES
Affiliates of ACA are SLPs who volunteer their time to host support groups and other groups.
Nicole Hebert, M.S., CCC-SLPNicole currently leads our support group at Iberia Medical Center.
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Lindsey Dalton, M.S., CCC-SLPLindsey assist us in various support groups and dispersing information to potential participants.
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COMPANY AFFILIATES
Affiliates of ACA are companies that allow ACA to host support groups and other groups in their facilities or connect potential participants to our services on a regular basis. THANK YOU!
Iberia Medical Center
Iberia Medical Center currently hosts a support group in collaboration with ACA on the second Friday of every month at 10am, in meeting room 2. They also connect newly diagnosed people with aphasia to our services in there acute hospital.
