NUCASLL Intensive Aphasia Services
Schedule: We offer two options, each available either in-person or via telehealth*:
- Option A: 4 hours of therapy per day, 4 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks (4x4x4).
- Option B: 2 hours of therapy per day, 4 days a week, spread over 8 weeks (2x4x8).
*Please be aware that our telehealth option is only available to residents of Illinois due to state licensing regulations.
Location: Our in-person program is held at the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning (NUCASLL), situated on the Northwestern campus in Evanston, IL. Our clinic is easily accessible and provides complimentary on-site parking for your convenience. For those taking public transit, the clinic is near the Noyes Purple line station (.5 miles) and the 201 bus stop (.25 miles). Participants and their care partners can take advantage of nearby lakefront walking paths and numerous dining options on campus, as well as restaurants and lodging facilities in downtown Evanston.
Clinicians:
- Clinical Faculty: Belma Hadziselimovic, Karen Kinderman, Sarah Penzell, and Aaron Wilkins are the clinical faculty speech-language pathologists leading our intensive aphasia program. They conduct initial screenings to assess eligibility, administer thorough pre- and post-evaluations, and craft individualized care plans. Additionally, they oversee continuous adaptations as treatment progresses and are present in every session, ensuring that each participant receives top-tier care. (Link to bios)
- Graduate Student Clinicians: Selected students from our highly ranked graduate program play an integral role in every aspect of our Intensive Aphasia Program. They work alongside our four-member clinical faculty team, adding an extra layer of support to ensure the highest quality of care for our clients.
Cost: $10,000
Insurance: Regrettably, many insurance plans do not include coverage for intensive aphasia treatment. However, our administrative staff is available to help you navigate payment plans and explore payment options. We are committed to assisting you in accessing the care you need.
Eligibility criteria: Our criteria for participant selection are flexible, ensuring that we accept only those individuals who are well-suited for our program. At minimum, participants must have a diagnosis of aphasia, possess the capacity to tolerate the program’s intensity, demonstrate motivation to actively engage, and have realistic goals spanning various language modalities (e.g., word retrieval, reading comprehension, etc.).
Application process: To get started, please complete the application, and submit it along with a recent speech-language evaluation or progress report. Following this, we will arrange a 30-minute Zoom conversation and a screening with each prospective participant to determine whether the program is a good fit for you.
- Application (available in word or pdf)
- Email the completed form to nucasll@northwestern.edu
Program activities: We use information gathered during the evaluation process and throughout the program to customize treatment for each participant. For instance, if a client is a student aiming to return to college, our goals will be tailored to facilitate that transition. Similarly, if someone is a salesperson or a litigator, we will design treatment tasks to target their specific needs in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and/or writing.
When designing treatment activities, we combine vetted aphasia treatment approaches with each client’s interests and priorities to generate customized, effective, and functional intervention activities. In addition to one-on-one therapy, participants in the intensive program may have the opportunity to join one or more of our therapy groups (e.g., film club, yoga) at no extra cost.
Housing and meals: While we do not currently offer housing, we are happy to provide guidance if needed. Many of our out-of-town program participants have had great success with Airbnb lodging or local hotels, with numerous options available in Evanston and the surrounding areas.
Family involvement: We highly value family involvement at every stage of our intensive aphasia program. Care partners are encouraged to join sessions, actively participate in goal-setting discussions, and play a crucial role as collaborative partners in the recovery process.