The Acute Therapy Program provides skilled therapy services to patients during the months immediately following the onset of aphasia. One-on-one treatment by a speech therapist may be supplemented by customized computer software that allows for intensive, self-paced learning. Individuals may use the computer during therapy sessions and at home through a rental program. This program is offered at our Elkins Park, Tabor Road and MossRehab Outpatient Center (Moss Plaza and Center One) locations.

For example, to help patients improve their word comprehension, MossRehab has developed MossTalkWords , a word-to-picture matching program that is available on the computer. If the person is not able to match the written word with the visual image, he or she can press an icon on the computer screen and hear the word spoken.

The Advanced Clinical Therapy Program was developed for individuals with chronic aphasia–those who have had aphasia for six months or longer. Treatment in the Advanced Clinical Therapy Program is typically short-term and focuses on a particular language skill. Some individuals concentrate on verbal production (word retrieval or sentence construction) while others may focus on writing skills, such as spelling. Therapists guide patients in determining what skills are most likely to improve with continued practice. Advanced computer technology is also used in this program. Therapy is often enhanced by the use of computers both at MossRehab and at home. The Advanced Clinical Therapy Program is currently offered at our Tabor Road facility.

Because of its close ties with Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute, MossRehab Aphasia Center clinicians have access to the very latest research, often conducted right on our campus. These research findings are incorporated into our treatment programs.

Through the Advanced Clinical Therapy Program, clinicians perform in-depth, psycholinguistic assessments on patients, including those who do not live in the Philadelphia region. Evaluation results and treatment recommendations can be forwarded to the speech pathologist in the area where the individual lives. Or a home program can be developed for the individual and family to carry out. Extended evaluations are usually conducted over the course of three to five days.