Hello all. In March this year, my father suffered a stroke. He is back home now and going through different therapies for his recovery.
We would like to help him get his speech back, so he can pronounce words much clearer. Does anyone suggest any home, online speech app, or is there a virtual speech class he can attend? We are happy to pay, we are just looking for good
Hi Hormoz,
I am sorry to hear about your father’s stroke and his communication difficulties. It is good to hear that he is back home now, and that he has your support.
It is difficult to recommend any specific apps that could be of help to your father without having seen or assessed his communication difficulties. We suggest you ask a Speech Pathologist before purchasing any expensive programs to find out what are the most appropriate apps to improve communication for your father. They are the experts in this area and will be able to guide you best after assessing your dad in person. An assessment would also give an indication of the best type of communication aids for him because not one aid fits all – many factors come into play including: his preferences (what type of aid would he like to use?), whether his vision, arm/fingers have been affected by the stroke, the nature of the communication impairment and his goals for recovery.
If you need a referral to a speech pathologist, your father's GP can help.
The apps below have been used by other stroke survivors. They have given us some feedback regarding these, but again it would be best to discuss these with your father’s speech pathologist:
Here are some options:
Tactus Therapy- https://tactustherapy.com/find/
Lingraphica: https://www.aphasia.com/
Constant Therapy- https://www.constanttherapy.com/
Proloquo2Go- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/proloquo2go-symbol-based-aac/id308368164?mt=8
National Aphasia Association (USA) - https://www.aphasia.org/aphasia-resources/aphasia-apps/
Other apps that might be helpful are:
Comprehension aphasia App https://www.virtualspeechcenter.com/blog/221/comprehension-aphasia-app-is-now-available-for-android-tablets
Speak It website https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/speak-it/amcnjejmdfilapnnfgnhnidhkififadk?hl=en
The Australian Aphasia Association would be a good resource as well. This website also looks at different aphasia software https://www.aphasiasoftwarefinder.org/
There are groups that we know of that are dedicated to stroke survivors with aphasia. These social interactions are always useful in improving speech.
Online: Australian Aphasia Association
The group currently runs every Tuesday at
10.30am QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS time
10am SA, NT
8.30am WA
Register through this website: aphasia.org.au
There are also some local aphasia groups that may be running online:
https://aphasia.community/current-groups#ACT
Looking forward to what EnableMe community members suggest - hoping they have some good advice for you too!
I hope this helps. If you need further assistance please don’t hesitate to call us on StrokeLine 1800 787 653.
Warm regards, Kath