Affiliate Highlight: Salus University Speech-Language Institute (SLI)

We’re continuing with our affiliate highlight series, this time turning our eye to Salus University Speech-Language Institute (SLI) in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

What Makes Salus University Speech-Language Institute Unique?

The Salus University Speech-Language Institute (SLI) in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania offers a free, monthly aphasia support group to our community. Our group provides a forum for individuals with aphasia and their loved ones to participate in an informative and supportive environment that promotes social communication and increases opportunities for connection and interaction among our members.

The SLI Aphasia Support Group is led by graduate student clinicians who are supervised by a certified speech-language pathologist. Group activities have incorporated mindful meditation, education regarding aphasia, use of augmentative and alternative communication, computer applications, creative arts projects, and support resources in the community.

Great Success Stories

The success of our aphasia support group is the connection our group members have found with one another in spite of differences in lifestyles and communication abilities. They support one another’s communication efforts from those with augmentative devices to those who demonstrate only mild word-finding pauses when verbalizing.

One member who communicates with a text-to-speech device helped engage the group in positive self-talk as a coping strategy following stroke. Every group member recognizes the communication struggles and strengths of every other member. Caregivers and loved ones are an integral part of the group, and their participation is encouraged.

They Love What They Do

As a clinical educator who supervises the SLI’s student-led aphasia support group, I am fortunate to foster the student’s clinical growth and observe how much they learn from each member of the aphasia group. The students are creative in group planning, provide visual aids and handouts, and have learned how to engage all group members by encouraging social communication, interaction, and support.

Services and Support Groups

The Salus University Speech-Language Institute also offers free, individualized evaluation and treatment services for adult and pediatric clients. For adults, we serve clients with a variety of communication disorders such as aphasia, dysarthria, cognitive-communication deficits and swallowing disorders due to neurogenic disease (stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s Disease) as well as clients with voice disorders, stuttering, and those desiring accent modification.

In addition to the aphasia support group, the SLI offers other groups including a brain injury support group, stuttering support group, laryngectomy group, and transgender voice group.

Special Services for Caregivers

Caregivers are welcome to attend all support groups and are included in treatment planning.

More Information

Do you live in the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania area? Contact the Salus University Speech-Language Institute for speech services and support groups.

We’re spending 2018 highlighting our affiliates in order to make it easier for caregivers to find services for their loved ones. Are you an affiliate of the NAA and would like to be highlighted in a future installment? Please fill out the form and we’ll contact you.