49F0E67B41DC3FFC87258810005E0918 Hearing Summary

Dr. Peter Pressman, Assistant Professor in Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz, presented to the committee on aphasia. He provided a powerpoint to the committee (Attachment A). He provided information about the number of cases of aphasia in the United States and Colorado. He discussed various aspects of aphasia, including how it occurs and the impacts on communication it causes in people who develop aphasia. Dr. Pressman discussed the research that is being conducted at the University of Colorado Anschutz on aphasia.

Committee members commented on the presentation.

Avi Golden, representing himself, presented to the committee about his personal experience with aphasia. He provided a powerpoint to the committee (Attachment B). He discussed his hospitalization and rehabilitation, as well as his efforts to bring awareness about the condition.

Christina M. Riseman, University of Colorado Boulder, and Holly Kleiber, University of Colorado Boulder, presented to the committee on aphasia. They provided a powerpoint to the committee (Attachment C). Ms. Riseman discussed the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic at the University of Colorado Boulder. She also discussed the training of future speech-language pathologists. Ms. Kleiber discussed the life participation approach to aphasia treatment and patient focused care. Ms Riseman discussed how they have incorporated theater into their rehabilitation treatment for aphasia. Ms. Kleiber discussed some of the benefits aphasia patients reported after the theater performance. Ms. Riseman discussed the needs of persons with aphasia, including access to meaningful participation in community, maximizing insurance coverage, funding of university training programs, and community education.

Dr. Kim Frey, Craig Hospital Craig Hospital, presented to the committee on aphasia. She provided a powerpoint with the committee (Attachment D). She discussed the aspects of intensive therapy and the Craig Hospital Aphasia Therapy (CHAT). Dr. Frey reviewed the elements of CHAT, as well as its history and programmatic costs. She discussed how music and yoga are incorporated in the therapy. Dr. Frey outlined a typical CHAT schedule for a patient with aphasia, which averages about 60 hours of therapy in three weeks. She discussed the program outcomes.