About the Aphasia Center
The Northwestern Medicine Aphasia Center at Marianjoy is designed for anyone who is experiencing aphasia and would like to improve his or her communication skills. Led by a speech-language pathologist with expertise in language disorders, small group sessions provide a comfortable and supportive environment for participants to practice their skills through real-life activities. Virtual groups and individual sessions are also available.
Aphasia Center club activities
Designed for improving language and communication skills, each eight-week session provides a variety of engaging, group activities through designated "clubs." These include:
- Math Club — Targets language and numerical reasoning skills through simulated time and money management activities.
- Game Club — Targets communication, problem solving and social skills.
- Technology Club —Targets improved verbal expression, comprehension, and functional reading skills while increasing knowledge and proficiency with technology through everyday activities such as navigating the Internet and composing emails. iPad applications targeting language are also introduced.
- Conversation Club — Conversation is facilitated by a speech-language pathologist in a supportive environment to target communication and social interaction via various communication methods.
- Writing Club — Targets improved writing skills suited to each client's level.
- Book Club — Targets reading, writing and verbal expression.
- Music Club — Music group is based around conversation related to various musical themes (old country, the rat pack, etc.). The history of the targeted theme, personal experiences with the music, and previous knowledge of the music is discussed to stimulate conversation with individuals with aphasia in the group setting. Examples of songs related to each theme are played for the group members to hear.
In addition to in-person groups, virtual groups and individual sessions are available. Virtual sessions are scheduled week-to-week and can be joined at any time.
Session schedules
Each eight-week enrollment period includes three hours of treatment time, once a week. Various scheduling options are available and this schedule remains in effect throughout the duration of the enrollment period. Call 630.909.8562 for scheduling options.
Individual treatment sessions available
One-on-one speech therapy sessions are available for an additional fee. Participants may also elect to be included in ongoing aphasia research studies coordinated by Marianjoy clinicians. More information is available by calling 630.909.8562.
Aphasia Center rates
- Aphasia Center club membership fees are not covered by insurance.
- Membership fee for each eight-week session includes all materials, except for the book needed for Book Club.
- For more information on the program's membership fees, please call 630.909.8562
For more information
If you would like to register for the Northwestern Medicine Aphasia Center at Marianjoy, have questions regarding the program, individual treatment sessions or aphasia research studies, please contact Michelle Armour, MS, CCC-SLP at 630.909.8562 or Michelle.Armour@nm.org.
Michelle Armour is a Speech-Language Pathologist, Program Lead Clinician, and founder of the Northwestern Medicine Aphasia Center at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, IL. She specializes in stroke rehabilitation with specific areas of research interests and publications in the area of aphasia. She presents her work on aphasia and supported communication nationally. Michelle is on the Board of Directors for Aphasia Access and is currently serving as co-chair on the Aphasia and Other Communication Disorders Task Force through the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM). In addition to her work at Marianjoy, Michelle has also served as an Adjunct Professor teaching an aphasia course at Midwestern University.