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Wanna talk?   Wanna be able to converse again?

Hi!  This is Sharon Rennhack, editor of the aphasiatoolbox newsletter.

Five years ago, I was unable to converse effectively or write even a paragraph. My neurologist and SLP told me my progress had plateaued.  In this video and the accompanying column below, I discuss how I refused to accept that prognosis and how I recovered using my determination and aphasiatoolbox®.     
     
 
Contact me if you want to know more on how I recovered my speech. 

How I use aphasiatoolbox

Editor's Note:

When I had my stroke and accompanying aphasia in 2010,  I was told by my neurologist and SLP  that I would not get better.  After 3 months, I was discharged from treatment.  I didn't know  what to do - how to get myself better;  does that sound like you?

I found Bill Connors, his staff, and aphasiatoolbox® - and, I'm so grateful that I did!  We  worked for a  full year and  a half to  reconnect my speech, semantics, and writing using  telepractice.

As many of you know, I'm working as a  
coach with people with aphasia; and, I  now use aphasiatoolbox  and its software - aphasia sight reader,   with my clients.

Aphasiatoolbox® offers:

a new way of thinking - using neuroplastic and mindfulness; 
a new way of  working  -  using telepractice; 
a new way of recovering - focusing on conversation. 

If  you are a person with aphasia and you're not satisfied with your results, contact me;    let me show you how  aphasiatoolbox  helped me, and how it can help you to make a significant difference in your communication skills - no matter how long ago your stroke or head injury.

Contact me at sharon@aphasiatoolbox.com,  if you want to know how I recovered and  what aphasiatoolbox can offer you.

Feature:  Treatment Materials and Protocols 
    
Editor's Note:
 
The NEW aphasiatoolbox ® incorporates  an updated database of treatment materials and protocols.
 
- The treatment materials are correlated to the treatment protocols.  We include print, video and photo treatment materials.

  - The treatment protocols show specific instructions on how to carry out each treatment exercise. 
 
As examples,  we're including here the material and protocol for Verbal Working Memory and Attention Treatment.

 
For SLPs, there's no need to create your own materials!

For PWA/caregivers, you will know clearly how to use each exercise in each protocol. 
 
Contact us for more information on our  correlating treatment materials and protocols .
    
Not sure? Sign up today in this newsletter for access to aphasiatoolbox® and start with a 3-Day Free Trial!

Feature:  Software and Applications

Editor's Note: 

Aphasia clinicians and researchers agree that practice benefits people with aphasia (PWA). Today's technology can make practice even more intensive and effective. Aphasia software should be: simple to use, effective, affordable and responsive to your progress.
 

One of our main applications is Aphasia Sight Reader.

The Aphasia Sight Reader is helping many PWA spell, read and keyboard again. These reconnected skills in turn provide key support in improving their speech and conversation.

The Aphasia Sight Reader has 15 different treatment modules with more than 500 easy-to-use exercises.
  
Membership in aphasiatoolbox includes these applications.  Click here to become a member of aphasiatoolbox® !   
Demonstration  Video: Incorporating Mindfulness into Aphasia Recovery
    
Editor's Note:

In this demonstration  video, Bill Connors  shows how he incorporates mindfulness into aphasiatoolbox protocols and programs using the 3 second rule.
 
 
Time: 6:31

Contact us
for more information on these new treatment and practice tools.  
 
For more information on how you can become a member of aphasiatoolbox.com,  click here!  
  
Feature: Conversational Cafes and Groups  
    
Editor's Note:

Aphasiatoolbox is more than just treatment; we believe that recovery starts with conversation. For that reason, we offer several conversational groups and other groups for
people with aphasia.

Aphasia Café:
The cafes are groups that offer supported conversation in a safe way - all done online. Our cafes meet on Tuesdays at 11 30 am ET   and on Wednesdays at 2 30 pm ET; we are also planning additional cafes at different times/days.

Men's and Women's Groups:
We also offer separate Men's and Women's groups; these groups focus on conversation but also include some treatment.  See the calendar for days/times.

Writing Group:
Our first writing group debuted earlier this year. This group will help people recovering from aphasia (PRA) improve their ability to express themselves by writing.

It has been so popular, that we're now offering two different levels of this group.  
 
The Level 1 course will work from the canonical (subject-verb-object); to the compound sentence; to a short paragraph.

The Level 2  course will work on compound and complex sentences, passive/active  voice, conjunctions, prepositions, and paragraph level writing. Proofreading techniques and peer review tasks may also be incorporated into the course.  


You can find all of this information in the calendar in the new aphasiatoolbox. ALTERNATIVELY, email us at information@aphasiatoolbox.com.

In your email, please include  a description in the subject line:

Cafe;
Women's  group;
Men's Group;
Writing Groups 
  
Photo of the Month 

 

aphasiatoolbox® members change themselves from people with aphasia to people recovering from aphasia!  

   
     

Hey - wanna talk?

  











September 30,  2015

September 2015 - The NEW Aphasiatoolbox.com

 
 
This is Sharon Rennhack, the chief editor for the aph asiatoolbox® newsletter.

This month, we are unveiling the NEW aphasiatoolbox® website and membership pages.  Please note:  there are some parts of the membership pages that are still under construction - notably the  photos and videos.

In the membership pages, we're demonstrating:

-  our new materials and content
-  our   available videos and photos;

And,  we discuss  how you can benefit from becoming  a member.

In his video, Bill discusses the new changes on the 
aphasiatoolbox® site.

For information on how aphasiatoolbox and our tools  can help you, please contact us at  information@aphasiatoolbox.com .
 
Sharon Rennhack
Chief Editor 
Aphasiatoolbox 
What  Aphasiatoolbox®
Membership means

 Editor's Note: 
 
Aphasiatoolbox.com® is the world leader in providing innovative tools, techniques, software and self-help materials for aphasia treatment and intensive practice.

Our clients - people with aphasia, caregivers and coaches, and speech pathologists, who are  members of aphasiatoolbox®,  have full access to our neuroplastic tools -  to maximize  recovery from aphasia and related disorders.
 
For $20.00 a month - including a 3-day free trial, members have complete access to:
 
> The most comprehensive collection of online tools for effective aphasia rehabilitation and independent practice.

> The Aphasia Sight Reader© with 15 treatment protocols each with a variety of different exercises.

> 75 simple to use treatment protocols with
coordinating materials; printable pages. 

> Treatment and practice demonstration videos.

> A numerous selection of educational and informative videos.

> The opportunity to attend weekly, online Q&A sessions with Bill Connors and the experts on the aphasiatoolbox® staff.

> The aphasiatoolbox® glossary - this explains in straightforward language terminology used in aphasia treatment and recovery.

> The opportunity to meet and interact with other people with aphasia and their caregivers in our Aphasia C ommunication Cafes, the Online Women's Group and the Caregivers-Coaches Group.

> The aphasiatoolbox.com monthly newsletter with the latest information about aphasia and innovative therapy techniques. To sample these, click on the Newsletter menu button on the homepage.

Additionally, when you become a member of aphasiatoolbox®,  you will  receive:

> A one-on-one, personalized online meeting with an aphasiatoolbox® expert to answer your questions and demonstrate what would work best for you and your clients (scheduled event not available first week).

 

> The opportunity to schedule treatment sessions with our expert  aphasia speech/language pathologists and practice coaches (additional cost).

 

> The opportunity to join online treatment/practice groups (additional cost).

 

SLP members also have the opportunity to become an aphasiatoolbox certified® provider (under construction).
 
VIDEO:  Bill Connors discusses:  
"The NEW aphasiatoolbox®"  
    
Editor's Note:  
  
In this month's  video, Bill Connors discusses   the new aphasiatoolbox and offers an introductory  tour. 
 
aphasiatoobox® introductory tour 
aphasiatoobox® introductory tour
            
BULLETIN: Mindfulness Treatment Techniques Improve Aphasia Recovery

Editor's Note:
 
In this video, Bill Connors discusses the concept of mindfulness  as part of aphasia recovery and treatment. Incorprating the mindful, active, focused attention to the present is making a dramatic change in reducing aphasia stress; improving focused attention to the speaking process; and allowing for a more normal speech flow.  Several clients were able to quickly and significantly improve their responses to yes/no questions using our mindful technique. 

 
Time:  3:53

Telepractice at ATB 

Editor's Note:
 
We have added the following stat; to our treatment areas:  AL;  NY;  MD;  FL; CA; TX.

To receive our monthly Telepractice Certification Community® (TCC) newsletter click here:      TCC Newsletter
 
To visit or join our Telepractice for SLPs Facebook page, click here:   FB Telepractice for SLPs   
  
UPCOMING: Weekly Q&A sessions  

Editor's Note:
 
Bill Connors and the expert staff  will shortly be offering weekly Q & A sessions to aphasiatoolbox members. Take advantage of their knowledge and expertise about aphasia and related disorders, telepractice and many other topics related to acquired communication problems. 

There will be 2 distinct sessions- one will focus on consumers and people with aphasia and another will focus on  SLPs and treatment programs. The focus will always be on who to best exploit neuroplasticity in order to maximize recovery from aphasia and related disorders.

If you are a member of aphasiatoolbox.com and interested in joining these sessions,  please send your name and email address to  Join a Q & A session .
The Aphasia Center of Innovative Treatment, Inc | | bill@aphasiatoolbox.com | http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com
800 Vinial Street, B408
Pittsburgh, PA 15212