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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Questions and Answers for consumers and speech/language pathologists

Questions and Answers for consumers and speech/language pathologists 
7/26/09
Our last two newsletters generated quite a bit of interest and some controversy.  The newsletters compared and contrasted our view of traditional aphasia therapy to the twelve keys we use at the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center (PATREC) and www.aphasiatoolbox.com to effect productive and successful aphasia therapy.  Comments from subscribers ranged from complete "disagreement" to "interestingly thought-provoking" to "right on the money", “Don’t stop now.” and “I am so glad that someone is addressing the needs of so many people who still suffer with aphasia.”  We ask that you please send us your thoughts on this subject so that we can learn from them and also share them with our subscribers.  

If you wish to express your thoughts publicly we will.  Otherwise your privacy will of course be protected.  

Today's newsletter presents the PATREC Question and Answer ( Q&A ) brochures for consumers and and speech/language pathologists ( SLP ).  
CONSUMER Q&A
What is the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center?    The Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center ( PATREC ) is a multifaceted Aphasia-Apraxia treatment and consultation center.  We provide services at three physical locations in the US and online to patients, clients, subscribers and speech-language pathologists throughout the world using online treatment meetings.   We use our exclusive materials and tools at www.aphasiatoolbox.com to keep things simple and to maximize your practice time.
What do you do?  Using the most innovative and effective treatment protocols, tools and materials, we provide evaluation and treatment of aphasia, as well as its related disorders of: apraxia, dysarthria, alexia [reading problems] , agraphia [writing problems] and related cognitive problems such as memory, attention and focus.   We provide ongoing aphasia treatment creating personalized programs.  This allows you to practice daily and independently using the most original, effective, and easy-to-use tools.  We facilitate hope by engaging you and any of your caregivers in a treatment process that is not only highly individualized, but also nurtured and developed on an ongoing basis.  We focus on you speaking and conversing again in a natural fashion.
Where do you do it?  Our home office is in Pittsburgh, PA with satellites offices in Vienna, VA and Strongsville, OH.  We also provide distance treatment, followup and training online using videoconferencing to anyone, anywhere with internet capabilities.   That means we can work with you in your home offering these effective and innovative services. We also can visit you on-site for treatment contingent upon availability and state licensure regulations.  Plans are under way for other offices in the NY/NJ and Dallas TX areas.
Who are your clients?  Our clients include patients and caregivers and their speech-language pathologists in the various states across the USA, and in Canada and Greece.  Some patients visit us for intensive sessions at our offices.  Our clients range in age from 13 to 94 years; age is not a factor in this rehabilitation process.  Our clients suffered strokes from 4 months to 22 years ago; time post onset is not a determining factor in our approach.  Visit our client Paul Berger at www.strokesurvivor.com as an example.
How are you different?  We are different in a number of ways.  We use distance therapy which means you can avoid expensive and difficult travel and still receive the finest of aphasia treatment.  We go beyond the clinical and research evidence utilizing knowledge from numerous sources including learning theory and cognitive neuroscience.  Successful aphasia recovery takes time,  persistence, and the use of smart treatment techniques;  we provide ongoing treatment at a fraction of the cost of traditional intensive programs.  We offer the exclusive Interval Intensive Aphasia Treatment Program that combines short bursts of intensive treatment with lots of ongoing self practice using innovative tools and materials. 
What is the cost of the services?  Our basic cost is $95.00 per hour of direct treatment, consultation or training.  The cost of a subscription to www.aphasiatoolbox.com  is included in any program with a minimum of one hour a week.  There is no charge for an initial introductory consultation that does not involve treatment.  We work diligently to make treatment affordable building programs with fees tailored for individuals.   Feel free to discuss this with us during your first consultation.   On-site visits require travel expenses.  We do participate in a limited number of third party payer programs.
How can this benefit me or my loved one with aphasia?  You get to work with a successful program that is innovative and dynamic knowing that we will never give up on you.  You will have complete access to our full range of materials and tools including those created just for you.   Treatment will focus on reconnecting your ability to speak and converse while also working any other skills such as reading or writing that you want to address.  You will  feel connected to a network of patients, caregivers and professionals sharing a mission.  You get to join a community of people aggressively traveling the pathway of aphasia recovery.   We can reduce caregiver stress in most cases by saving time, encouraging patient involvement and increasing patient time spent with self-help practice 
How can we get started? That is easy.  Contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or 724.494.2534 .  He will will contact you within 48 hours to discuss our services, to become acquainted, and to answer any and all questions at absolutely no initial cost.  We will schedule you for therapy at that time if you request.  
What is your history?  PATREC is the result of over 30 years experience and study of the treatment of aphasia and its related disorders.  Founded in 1999 by Bill Connors, the center was originally housed on the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Passavant Hospital Campus.   We collaborated with eminent researchers, clinical programs, and health and educational organizations world-wide over the years in establishing PATREC and in participating in important research projects. 
Do you work with my current speech-language therapist?    Yes.  We collaborate with many SLPs in a team atmosphere.  We provide consultation, team treatment, and program growth and design.   We also help to ensure:  state-of-the-art methodology rooted in aphasia research, evidence-based practices, and neural plasticity; constantly updated protocols, materials, and video products providing the opportunity to incorporate cutting-edge information technology into treatment; tools and information available at www.aphasiatoolbox.com  to enhance confidence in working with patients with aphasia; time saving using the prepared and created, just for the patient, materials, protocols and tools on our website.
Are there references I can contact?    Yes.  We have many consumers and professionals who will openly share their stories with you.   Contact for details on how to contact them.   We relate some of these success stories in our newsletters at www.aphasiatoolbox.com
   
Questions? Want more specifics?  Call 724.494.2534 or emial bill@aphasiatoolbox.com
SLP Q&A
What is the Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center?    The Pittsburgh Aphasia Treatment, Research and Education Center ( PATREC ) is a multifaceted Aphasia-Apraxia treatment and consultation center.  We provide services at three physical locations in the US and online to patients, clients, subscribers and speech-language pathologists throughout the world using online treatment meetings.   We use our exclusive materials and tools at www.aphasiatoolbox.com to keep things simple and to maximize your practice time.
What is your history?  PATREC is the result of over 30 years experience and study of the treatment of aphasia and its related disorders.  Founded in 1999 by Bill Connors, the center was originally housed on the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Passavant Hospital Campus. We collaborated with eminent researchers, clinical programs, and health and educational organizations world-wide over the years in establishing PATREC and in participating in important research projects.  
What do you do?  Using the most innovative and effective treatment protocols, tools and materials, we provide evaluation and treatment of aphasia, apraxia, dysarthria, alexia, agraphia and related cognitive problems.  We provide ongoing aphasia treatment that creates personalized programs in which clients can practice daily and independently or with caregivers/assistants using the most original, effective, and easy-to-use tools.  We offer training for caregiver and/or SLPs.  We facilitate hope by engaging the patients and caregivers in a treatment process that is highly individualized, nurtured and developed on an ongoing basis.
Where do you do it?  Our home office is in Pittsburgh PA with satellites offices in Vienna, VA and Strongsville, OH.  We also provide distance treatment, followup and training online using videoconferencing to anyone, anywhere with internet capabilities.   That means we can work with you in your home offering these effective and innovative services. We also can visit patients or programs on-site for training and treatment contingent upon availability and state licensure regulations.  Plans are under way for other offices in the NY/NJ and Dallas TX areas.
Who are your clients?  Our clients range from speech-language pathologist in the US, Canada and Greece, to patients and caregivers in PA, VA OH and Alberta, to subscribers in 21 different states and countries.  Some patients visit us for intensive session at our offices.  
How are you different?  We are different in a number of ways.  We go beyond the clinical and research evidence utilizing knowledge from numerous sources including learning theory and cognitive neuroscience.  Successful aphasia recovery takes time,  persistence, and the use of smart treatment techniques;  we provide ongoing treatment at a fraction of the cost of traditional intensive programs.  We offer the exclusive Interval Intensive Aphasia Treatment Program that combines short burst of intensive treatment with lots of ongoing self practice using innovative tools and materials. 
What is the cost of the services?  Our basic cost is $95.00 per hour of direct treatment, consultation or training.  The cost of a subscription to www.aphasiatoolbox.com  is included in any program with a minimum of one hour a week.  There is no charge for an initial introductory consultation that does not involve treatment.  We work diligently to make treatment affordable building programs with fees tailored for individuals.   Feel free to discuss this with us during your first consultation.   On-site visits require travel expenses.  We do participate in a limited number of third party payer programs.
How can this benefit my patients?  They get to work with a successful program that is innovative and dynamic knowing that we will never give up on them.  They will have complete access to our full range of materials and tools including those created just them.   The patients will  feel connected to a network of patients, caregivers and professionals sharing a mission.  They get to join a community of people aggressively traveling the pathway of aphasia recovery.   We can reduce caregiver stress in most cases by saving time, encouraging patient involvement and increasing patient time spent with self-help practice 
How can my patients get started? That is easy.  You may refer patients directly to PATREC by contacting or having them contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or 724.494.2534 .  We will contact you or them within 48 hours to discuss our services and become acquainted at no initial cost.  We will schedule the patient if they request further intervention.  
How can this benefit my practice?   PATREC has established two programs for working with SLPs, collaboration and business.  We collaborate with SLPs who maintain the patient on their caseload while we provide consultation, team treatment, and program growth and design.   We also have a business relationship with SLPs and private practices that includes financial incentives.   We help to promote and grow your practice and to network with other interested professionals.  Other benefits include: state-of-the-art methodology rooted in aphasia research, evidence-based practices, and neural plasticity; constantly updated protocols, materials, and video products you can use in your practice providing the opportunity to incorporate cutting-edge information technology into your practice; tools and information available at aphasiatoolbox.com to enhance your confidence in working with patients with aphasia and assist you in growing your caseload; and help you save your valuable time by using the prepared materials, protocols and tools on our website.
How can I become part of the network/team or discuss this further?  Contact Bill Connors at bill@aphasiatoolbox.com or 724.494.2534 to join the team that is revolutionizing aphasia therapy.  
Are there references I can contact?    Yes.  We have many consumers and professionals who will openly share their stories with you.   Contact for details on how to contact them.   We relate some of these success stories in our newsletters at www.aphasiatoolbox.com
   
Questions? Want more specifics?  Call 724.494.2534 or emial bill@aphasiatoolbox.com

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