BSAP Services

Big Sky Aphasia Program Services

All of our speech, language, and cognitive-communication services are delivered by graduate student clinicians from the School of Speech, Language, Hearing, and Occupational Sciences Masters of Science Speech-Language Pathology Program at the University of Montana under the supervision of ASHA-certified and Montana state-licensed speech-language pathologists.

Speech-Language and Cognitive-Communication Evaluations

We offer comprehensive evaluations to assess the speech, language, and cognitive skills of individuals who have sustained a stroke or traumatic brain injury, or who have other neurological disease or damage. Both formal and informal assessment tools are used to examine speaking, understanding, reading, and writing abilities. Attention, memory, planning, and organizing skills may be assessed as well. A critical component of the evaluation is to determine if the individual will benefit from use of compensatory strategies to improve communication and cognitive skills. These components result in a comprehensive picture of the individual's skills and needs. Evaluation results are discussed with the client and family, along with specific recommendations for therapy and suggestions for home practice. Evaluations often last a minimum of three hours. Evaluations may be scheduled across multiple days.

Individual Speech-Language Therapy

We offer person-centered, individualized speech-language and cognitive-communication therapy that is based upon the best current evidence and principles of neurobiological recovery that optimize brain plasticity and maximize rehabilitation. Individual speech-language therapy serves both the individual with the acquired disorder and the family and/or care partner(s) who support the individual with the acquired disorder. Our individual speech-language therapy is designed in collaboration with patient and care partner(s) to increase participation in activities of daily living and social communication. Therapy sessions are dynamic and may include community outings, communication partner training, paper-and-pencil tasks, and technology-based activities (e.g., apps). Individual therapy occurs 1-3 times per week. Given the current best evidence, we strongly encourage clients recovering from stroke or head injury to attend a minimum of two therapy sessions per week.

Telehealth Services

Girl Studies OnlineIndividuals with communication disorders in Montana represent a unique population. Montana is a large, rural state with few resources and/or specialized speech and language services. Barriers that may prevent access to outpatient services may include: (1) geographic obstacles including distance, difficulty of travel on rural roads, and severe winter weather, (2) financial obstacles including lack of insurance or out-of-pocket funds for services and transportation costs, and (3) physical limitations including reduced mobility, and comorbid health conditions.  As a result of these obstacles, individuals in Montana do not always receive the services they need to improve and maintain their communication skills and their participation in social, vocational, and/or recreational roles. 

The Big Sky Aphasia Program offers high-quality, individualized speech-language and cognitive-communication therapy through the use of HIPAA-compliant web-based telecommunication.

Aphasia Groups

We offer weekly group sessions for individuals with aphasia during the fall, spring, and summer academic semesters. These free, drop-in social aphasia groups focus on communication skills, conversation strategies, psychosocial well-being, self-advocacy, aphasia awareness, and community engagement. Group treatment includes small and large conversation groups and support for the person with aphasia. All group sessions are facilitated by graduate student clinicians, and utilize aphasia-friendly communication strategies and support. 

The Aphasia Community Group occasionally hosts guest speakers or therapists from other disciplines. Group therapy sessions typically take place on the University of Montana campus, but we often offer one to two group meetings per semester out in the Missoula community (e.g., at the Missoula Art Museum). Periodically, we offer a care partner support group that occurs at the same time as the Aphasia Community Group.

Telehealth aphasia groups are occasionally offered. Telehealth groups also maintain a focus on communication skills and strategies, but are accessible for persons with aphasia located out of Missoula.

Please note that we follow the University of Montana Academic Calendar for all of our group sessions. Please contact our clinic office (406) 243-2405 or email jenna.griffin@umontana.edu for more information and group dates each semester. Sessions typically take place on Wednesdays from 11:00am – 12:00pm.

Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs)

Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) are a relatively new service delivery model for stroke and aphasia rehabilitation. The number of ICAPs across the globe is increasing as a result of a desire to approach aphasia rehabilitation from a holistic perspective, while also implementing intensive treatment. Currently, the evidence suggests that intensive treatment yields the most effective treatment outcomes. The overarching goal of an ICAP is to maximize communication potential and improve the life participation. In short, ICAPs are multi-faceted and take into consideration the many aspects of communication needs faced by those affected by aphasia.

By definition, ICAPs provide a minimum of three hours of treatment per day for at least two weeks, with some programs providing as many as four to six hours per day over a period of four to five weeks. Daily treatment should include individual sessions, group sessions, and computer-based or technology-based treatment. Patient and care partner education should also be provided. Individuals with aphasia and their care partner who are enrolled in an ICAP may receive as many as 120 hours of focused language treatment over the span of one month, whereas a person who is enrolled in a standard treatment model will receive approximately 8 to 12 hours of treatment in the same time frame. Initial ICAP efficacy studies indicate positive patient outcomes across a variety of impairment-based and psychosocial domains.

The Big Sky Aphasia Program’s ICAP at the University of Montana is currently held once per year during the summer. Typically, the ICAP begins late May and ends before the 4th of July.