Imagine being able to understand other people but being unable to communicate. The frustrating condition is often caused by a brain injury.

Two years ago, a massive stroke stole Mike Ligon's ability to communicate. It's a frustrating disorder called aphasia.

Mike understands others but can't produce words of his own.

His mother, Phyllis Ligon says, "We just wanted him to get well and he couldn't say anything."

But things have changed.

Ask Mike how he's doing now and he'll tell you, "better, better, better, better, um, better, thank you."

He's relearning how to get his message across thanks to RAP, the Residential Aphasia Program, at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Joanne Martilla Pierson, PhD, associate director of the program says, "People come from all over the country spending six weeks with us here in Ann Arbor. They stay at local hotels and are shuttled into the center and spend Monday through Friday with us and receive 23 hours of language therapy each week."

That's 138 hours of one-on-one sessions, group therapy and computer training.

Dr. Pierson says after six weeks nearly everyone shows some improvement, "in either comprehension, verbal expression, reading, writing and then we also work on gestures."

The Ligons, who came from Virginia, liked the program so much they went through it five times.

Phyllis Ligon says, "If he stays like he is now, we're happy."

Family members and caregivers also receive therapy, learning how best to communicate to their loved ones.

Aphasia
Aphasia is a communication disorder in which an individual may be unable to produce or understand language. It can affect speech, reading and/or writing. The degree of symptoms can vary from very mild to severe.

There are four main categories of aphasia. Expressive aphasia is difficulty conveying spoken or written thoughts. Receptive aphasia affects the ability to recognize or understand spoken or written language. Anomic aphasia refers to difficulty in using the right names or words when speaking or writing about people, places, events or things. Global aphasia is the most severe form of the condition. People have little or no language function and are unable to comprehend or produce written or spoken language.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, about one million people in the U.S. have aphasia. Roughly 80,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. The most common cause of the problem is stroke (death of tissue in the area of the brain responsible for language and communication). Aphasia may also be caused by head injury, brain tumor or brain infection.

The ability to communicate is an important function in many aspects of life. Patients may have problems communicating with family members, expressing their needs or maintaining a job. A survey by the National Aphasia Association found 72 percent of people with aphasia are unable to work. About 70 percent avoid social situations.

Living With Aphasia
There is no cure for aphasia. Patients are offered therapy to learn how to use new communication skills. Family members are encouraged to participate in the rehabilitation process to learn how they can communicate with the patient.

The University of Michigan offers a unique intensive language program for adults with aphasia, called the Residential Aphasia Program (RAP). Participants spend six weeks at a hotel in Ann Arbor and are brought to the RAP center for 23 hours of language therapy a week. During the program, clients receive individual therapy (to learn new communication skills), group therapy (to learn how to use new communication skills with others) and computer training. Patients also learn how to use assistive communication methods, like gesturing, pencil and paper or pocket communicators. Once a week, patients go to a local restaurant to practice their new skills. Family members play an integral part of therapy, learning how to coach the patient and developing their own new communication strategies.

Health experts say they believe the Residential Aphasia Program at the University of Michigan is the only one of its kind in the U.S.

Sources
Joanne Marttila Pierson, Ph.D., Program Associate Director, Residential Aphasia Program, University of Michigan, c/o: Public Relations and Marketing Communications,
2901 Hubbard St., Suite 2400 Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

University of Michigan Contacts
For information about RAP, contact the University of Michigan at 734-764-8440, or by e-mail at ucll@umich.edu

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