Speech, Language and Hearing Center to host support group for adults with aphasia

NEW PALTZ — Adults with aphasia are invited to join a support group to be held at the State University of New York at New Paltz’s Speech, Language and Hearing Center this fall.

According to the National Aphasia Association, aphasia is an impairment of the ability to use or comprehend words, usually acquired as a result of a stroke or other brain injury. About one million people in the United States have acquired aphasia.

The support group is scheduled to take place once a week, from September through December, at a day and time to be determined.

Inge Anema, a professor in the college’s department of Communication Disorders, will lead the sessions. Anema is a New York state licensed speech language pathologist and is certified with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The sessions are initially for those affected directly by the stroke, but as needs dictate, a group for family members and caregivers may be created.

To sign up for the support group, contact Sandy DiStasi at the Speech, Language and Hearing Center at (845) 257-3600.