Innovative Technology for Survivors of Strokes and Head Injuries

Press Release - July 10, 2006

POTOMAC, Md., -- A new short-term intensive rehabilitation program offers hope for stroke and traumatic brain injury survivors, as well as victims of degenerative neurological conditions and people with language-based learning disorders.

This Technology with Innovative Speech Therapy (TWIST) program was established to help people jumpstart their rehabilitation and education efforts using technological breakthroughs, says Joan Green, a 20-year veteran speech-language pathologist and creator of this program.

"Consumers deserve to be exposed to this information, but they need a qualified, computer-savvy communication specialist to figure out what is best to use and how to use it. Everyone has different needs and challenges and will benefit from different resources," she says.

TWIST provides hope and empowers people to make the best use of rehabilitation and education efforts while saving time and money in the process even after discharge from other speech therapy programs, says Green, who describes the program in Potomac, Maryland as 18 hours of intensive individualized therapy.

The program specifically defines a patient's communication and cognitive strengths and weaknesses. It then matches those strengths and weaknesses with advanced computer software, adaptive hardware, strategies, devices and more traditional speech therapy techniques. Personalized therapy goals are established in order to improve overall quality of life.

Participants return home at the end of the program with a renewed feeling of hope, a comprehensive home practice program, software, and additional tools and resources that were found to be of greatest value.

"Goals of the program include maximizing the participant's abilities to engage in everyday activities such as communicating with friends and family, talking on the phone, reading the paper, and sending e-mail messages. It helps people organize their home and work environments, succeed in school and at work, and participate in recreational and social activities," Green says.

During the program, participants engage in computer activities selected and adapted to match their personal learning style. Abilities involving vision, reading, writing, talking, listening, remembering and thinking are also considered during the program.

The vast majority of people with communication and cognitive limitations can benefit from the newest advances in technology.