The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association describes Aphasia as an acquired neurogenic language disorder resulting from an injury to the brain. It can impact spoken language (expressive language), spoken language comprehension (receptive language), written expression, and reading comprehension. During 2017 and 2018 Christy co-facilitated an Aphasia caregiver support group. This experience provided her with a solid understanding of the impact Aphasia can have on caregivers. Equally significant, Christy participated in the Aphasia Camp Northwest Adventure where she worked 1:1 with individuals with Aphasia and their caregivers.
Christy is versed in multiple evidence-based therapy options for working with individuals with Aphasia and Primary Progressive Aphasia. Therapy options can include semantic feature analysis (SFA), Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (V-Nest), Copy and Recall Treatment (CART), Script training, and Treatment of Underlying Forms (TUF). Equally important, Christy recognizes the value of supporting and involving caregivers in the therapy program; as such, she utilizes supported conversation for adults with Aphasia (SCA) during her work with her clients and their families.
