Script Training for Stroke and Aphasia Survivors
Major life changes, such as a stroke, can alter the way we see ourselves. For example, before his stroke Dave was a weather forecaster for the local news station. He was a bit of local celebrity, and he had a strong self-identity as a well-known figure in the community. For years he had been actively involved with his city’s annual Coats for Kids coat drive and giveaway. He loved sharing stories about Coats for Kids to everyone he met. That was before his stroke.
After his stroke, Dave had expressive aphasia and was no longer able to say his name, let alone share stories. All of the words he once would use to describe himself no longer seemed to fit—weatherman; the “Coats For Kids Guy”, etc. He was still those things, but he could no longer work or travel around his city as easily. And, not being able to share his stories made it difficult for others to see Dave as the same person he had always been. Dave became depressed. Not only had the stroke taken his words, it had taken his identity.
Fortunately, Dave’s speech pathologist knew about Script Training. Script Training is an evidenced-based treatment for aphasia that it has been clinically proven as effective. Script training can be helpful for people with aphasia to improve their ability to communicate.