BYU Stroke Outreach

10/09/2026

What is aphasia? 💙🧠
Learn more about aphasia and how it can affect communication after a stroke. Check out this short video to learn more!

by talking with people with aphasiaFor more inf...

10/07/2026

Having trouble finding the right word? Try these helpful strategies! Swipe through for simple ways communication partners can offer support. ❤️

09/30/2026

🗣️ We're Back!!

After summer break, we are excited to be starting a new semester and to continue our work supporting stroke survivors and their families!

Our team is passionate about helping individuals access speech and language resources after a stroke, with a special focus on communication difficulties such as aphasia.

This semester, we’ll be sharing helpful communication tips, information about stroke and aphasia, activities you can try at home, resources for stroke survivors and caregivers, and a behind-the-scenes look at what we do!

We’re looking forward to another semester of learning, serving, and connecting with our community. 🗣️
Be sure to follow along—and let us know in the comments what you’d like to learn about this semester!

04/01/2026

Aphasia is a language disorder that happens when areas of the brain responsible for communication—most often after a stroke—are damaged. It can affect a person’s ability to speak, understand others, read, and write, but it does not impact intelligence. Someone with aphasia may know exactly what they want to say but have difficulty finding the right words or putting sentences together. Every person’s experience with aphasia is different, and many continue to improve over time with support, therapy, and meaningful communication.

03/30/2026

BE FAST Acronym Reminder!

Remember these signs of stroke and to act fast if you see them in yourself or others!

03/25/2026

What Is the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB)?

The Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) is a standardized assessment used by speech-language pathologists to evaluate language skills after a stroke or brain injury.

It helps measure how well a person can:
Speak
Understand language
Read
Write

The WAB helps identify whether someone has aphasia and, if so, what type and how severe it is.

Why Is the Western Aphasia Battery Important?
🔹 Identifies Aphasia Type – It helps determine patterns of language difficulty (for example, whether someone has more trouble speaking or understanding).
🔹 Measures Severity – The WAB provides a score called the Aphasia Quotient, which shows how significant the language impairment is.
🔹 Guides Treatment Planning – Results help SLPs create targeted therapy goals based on the person’s specific strengths and weaknesses.
🔹 Tracks Progress Over Time – It can be re-administered to measure improvement and recovery.

The Western Aphasia Battery is a structured language evaluation that helps professionals understand how a stroke or brain injury has affected communication — and how to best support recovery.

03/23/2026

Save the date and register!

03/16/2026

What Is Semantic Feature Analysis?

Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA) is a therapy strategy used to help people improve word-finding skills.

It helps individuals strengthen connections in their brain by describing features of a word — such as what it looks like, what it’s used for, where you find it, what category it belongs to, and other related details.

Instead of just trying to “force” the word out, SFA builds a web of meaning around it, making it easier to retrieve.

Why Is Semantic Feature Analysis Important?
🔹 Improves Word Retrieval – It helps people who struggle with word-finding (like after a stroke or brain injury) access vocabulary more easily.
🔹 Strengthens Brain Connections – Talking through features activates multiple language pathways in the brain.
🔹 Builds Confidence in Communication – When someone can describe a word even if they can’t say it immediately, communication becomes less frustrating.
🔹 Supports Long-Term Progress – Over time, strengthening these semantic connections can improve overall language skills.

Example:
If the target word is “computer,” you might ask:
What category is it?
What does it look like?
Where do you find it?
What is it used for?
What does it sound like?

03/11/2026

We had an amazing time presenting at the Tooele Senior Center!

We would love to come and present near you! Reach out to us to schedule a time!

03/09/2026

What Is a Hearing Screening?

A hearing screening is a quick, painless test that checks how well you hear different frequencies. It is not a full diagnostic hearing exam, but it helps identify whether someone may have hearing loss and needs further testing.

Screenings typically take just a few minutes and can detect early signs of hearing difficulty — even before you notice a problem.

Why Are Hearing Screenings Important?
🔹 Early Detection – Hearing loss often develops gradually. Many people don’t realize their hearing is declining until it starts affecting communication.
🔹 Better Communication – Untreated hearing loss can impact work performance, relationships, and social interactions.
🔹 Cognitive & Brain Health – Research shows that untreated hearing loss is linked to increased risk of cognitive decline.
🔹 Quality of Life – Hearing well supports confidence, safety, and overall well-being.