Staff and students hold event to raise awareness of Aphasia

The speech and language therapy students, from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, were joined by clients from their SLT Clinic to discuss what Aphasia means to them.

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate. It is typically caused by damage to the parts of the brain responsible for language e.g. following a stroke.

We had individuals with lived experience of aphasia come and share their stories and anything they want those without aphasia to know.

As part of the event, clients with lived experience of aphasia were encouraged to share their stories and anything they want those without aphasia to know. They were also asked to draw pictures to show what Aphasia is to them.

Claire Dolby, Lecturer in speech and language therapy, said: "Aphasia awareness events are very important to shine a light on this condition and amplify the voices of people living with Aphasia. Raising awareness within the general population is empowering people living with Aphasia to know that others can support them to feel more confident, encourages inclusive communication and social participation."

Ava Robinson, an SLT student, said: "I love being involved in events like this and I think they are so valuable for not only my studies, but other SLT student's studies and other students who attend. Any profession can benefit from wider awareness of speech, language and communication needs. Hearing from people with lived experience is also vital for our learning and it is so nice to hear from them about what we as SLTs can do in future to be more supportive for people with these needs."

A client who took part said: "The Aphasia Event - it was a great success! We truly appreciate it."

Students and staff at Leeds Beckett University support clients with Aphasia at the university's SLT Clinic which supports people who have difficulties with communication following strokes and other neurological conditions.

The clinic has two rooms which can be used to treat two clients at one time or one client with students observing via a central viewing window. It is based at the City Campus of the university and is staffed by experienced lecturers who support students to carry out work placements there. The clinic runs throughout the year and gives invaluable placement experience to students studying SLT. It also provides research opportunities into therapies for people with speech, language, and communication difficulties.

Find out more about studying Speech and Language Therapy at Leeds Beckett.