Welcome to the PSU Aphasia Lab
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Study Flier
The Aphasia Lab's primary focus is developing tools to assess people with aphasia more accurately and efficiently. Our vision is to enhance the quality of life of people with aphasia through scientific discovery and community engagement.
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Our mission is to advance the scientific understanding of aphasia and serve as a hub to meet the needs of the local aphasia community through:
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Programmatic Research - increase knowledge of and ability to assess the mechanisms underlying aphasia
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Educational Opportunities - prepare the next generation of clinicians and provide professional development for current healthcare providers
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Community-based Services - facilitate functional communication groups using a life participation approach
We are proud to be part of Portland State University's Speech & Hearing Sciences Department. Click here for more information on graduate-level treatments and assessments offered at the department's Oregon Scottish Rite Speech & Language Clinic.
Understanding Aphasia
Aphasia is an acquired language impairment that affects a person’s ability to speak, understand spoken information, read and/or write. Importantly, it creates a problem accessing or processing information in the brain but does not affect intelligence. These communication difficulties can have a big impact on the person's daily activities, social relationships, healthcare access, and psychosocial well-being. Even mild symptoms can be very challenging and frustrating.
Aphasia is an invisible disability that is caused by brain injury, most commonly from a stroke. The level of severity can range dramatically across individuals and across the four language domains (shown to the right). Approximately 2.5-4 million people in the US are living with aphasia.
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Watch this powerful 2 minute video from the Aphasia Institute to see people living with aphasia share their real stories.
