Aphasia House
UCF Communication Disorders Clinic
Being diagnosed with aphasia is a life-changing event.
The loss of your ability to communicate can affect every aspect of your life. Speech therapy can help improve your ability to share your needs and connect with loved ones.
At UCF’s Aphasia House, we offer an intensive, comprehensive therapy program that helps those with aphasia make progress on their long-held goals, like talking with their grandchildren or ordering their favorite restaurant meal, no matter if they have had aphasia for years, or have been newly diagnosed. Each session is provided by a team of graduate student clinicians who are directly supervised by licensed UCF clinical aphasia educators, and the therapy is tailored to help you achieve your personal goals and reach your rehabilitation potential.
We utilize the latest clinical research to create a personalized course of therapy for everyone we serve. And, because research has shown us that people with aphasia have higher rates of recovery when they receive therapy in a homelike setting, we have special therapy rooms designed to remind them of their favorite things: we have a garden room, a music room, a working kitchen, and a garage, just to name a few.
We invite you to join our UCF family. We are here to help. Please reach out so we can discuss your specific needs and goals.
Lauren Bislick, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CBIS
Angela Ziegler, MA, CCC-SLP
Program Features
- Individual therapy, typically Monday through Thursday, 9:00am -1:00pm, for six weeks
- Opportunities to receive physical therapy services are available
- Option to participate in Aphasia Family and Yoga Club, offered on Friday
- Observation room for family and friends
- Access to state-of-the-art augmentative and alternative communication devices through FAAST
- Affiliation with local extended-stay rental accommodations
- Five six-week sessions offered annually
Upcoming Sessions
Spring 2025:
Session 1: January 13 — February 20
Session 2: February 24 — April 10 with spring break from March 17th – 21
Summer 2025:
June 2nd to July 10th
Fall 2025:
Session 1: Session 1– August 25th – Oct 2nd
Session 2 – Oct. 13th – Nov 20th.
Spring 2026:
Session 1: January 12 – February 19th
Session 2 March 2 – April 16th (Spring break March 16-21st)
Program Eligibility
Aphasia House is open to individuals with aphasia who meet the following criteria:
- medically stable
- able to endure the intensive nature of the program
- independent in mobility and self-care or accompanied by a caregiver at all times
Aphasia House has a long-standing relationship with the Scott Coopersmith Stroke Awareness Foundation (SCSAF). The foundation recently awarded funding for two young stroke survivors who needed intensive services but were financially unable to participate in our program without external support. ― Amy Englehoven, Ph.D., Former Aphasia House Director
SCSAF is incredibly thankful for our partnership with the UCF Aphasia House and values the work that both students and faculty and staff do for stroke survivors. It is our mission to provide support for local survivors, and we [were] happy to approve the grant requests for these two applicants! ― Deanna Coopersmith-Marquez, SCSAF President
The Scott Coopersmith Stroke Awareness Foundation has graciously partnered with Aphasia House to help stroke survivors with aphasia and their families.
Aphasia Family
Aphasia Family is a free group for people with aphasia.
Our goal is to restore learning, create a space for people with aphasia to socialize with other people who have aphasia, and develop community awareness about aphasia through service.
Every week we have activities such as reading, word games, crafts, and discussions.
UCF student volunteers host Aphasia Family meetings.
The Aphasia Family goes on an outing at least once per semester including places like the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, brunch at a local restaurant, visits to the Orlando Science Center, Winter Park Boat Tour, Winter Park Community Theater, and a visit to a farm.
Aphasia Family meets every Friday from 12:30-2:30 pm in the Aphasia House kitchen.
For more information about meeting dates please email AphasiaHouse@ucf.edu.
Aphasia and Related Conditions (ARC) Research Lab
The Aphasia and Related Conditions (ARC) Research Lab is directed by Dr. Lauren Bislick Wilson (PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIS). Our goal is to conduct research to better understand the complex processing of speech and language and its breakdown in people with aphasia and apraxia of speech. We strive to develop new and explore effective treatment approaches. Visit our webpage to learn more about the lab and find opportunities for participation in our research.
Videos
Janet Whiteside, Ph.D., is the founding director of Aphasia House. Lauren Bislick Wilson (Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CBIS), Associate Professor and Director of UCF Aphasia House.
In the News
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Our Location
Aphasia House is a home-like setting created in a suite of rooms (Suite 300) in the Innovative Center, a beautiful, contemporary building located in the Central Florida Research Park, adjacent to the University of Central Florida.
3280 Progress Drive, Suite 300
Orlando, FL 32826-2215
Please call 407-882-0468
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