Rehabilitation Resources

Helpful resources for rehabilitation from stroke and other brain-injuries.

• Helping brain-injury survivors use computers

• Discounted Speech Therapy (@ University Clinics)

• Stroke Recovery

• Aphasia Recovery

• TBI Recovery

• How to get speech therapy when you can't afford it.

Helping survivors use computers

• Easier keyboard
  Put big keyboard stickers on your existing keyboard. These stickers are 4 times as big as a regular key. 
• Easier mouse option
  Most people find a trackball easier to use than a mouse.  A computer mouse can be difficult for someone with poor dexterity to use because you move the mouse with your hand or arm. Also, clicking often moves the mouse. Trackballs can be much better because you move them with your finger and click by moving your finger from the ball to a button, so it's impossible to accidentally move whilst clicking.  We recommend a trackball that you control with your fingers (not the thumb). We've had very good luck with the inexpensive Logitech Marble Mouse. It's about $20 at at Office Depot or a similar computer store.

Stroke Survivor Resources

• What it feels like to have a stroke
  In  this video, New York Times Best Selling author Dr. Jill Taylor, a brain scientist, explains with humor and insight what it's like to have a stroke.
• Stroke Caregiver Handbooks
  There are two good, free handbooks:
  • Stroke Caregiver Handbook is free online from The Stroke Network.
  • Stroke Caregiver handbook -handbook created by caregivers for caregivers, from Stroke Safe.org.
• Stroke Centers & Retreats provide intensive therapy and are a great way to socialize with other survivors and caregivers.
• Physical Rehab with Biomove post-stroke treatment for paralyzed muscles. 
• National Stroke Association has lots of useful information and lists of support groups.
• Speech and language therapy software that patients have been using for independent home (or clinic) practice since 1995.
• StrokeFamily.com for online language practice

Aphasia Therapy Resources

• Help non-verbal patients communicate:
  Kwikpoint picture communicator was designed for travelers who don't speak the local language. But it's also an economical communication board for people who can not speak. They can point to the pictures. A great temporary measure before the patient makes more progress with speech or writing.
• National Aphasia Association has a free Aphasia Kit you can order by calling 800-922-4622. They also have a new Aphasia Handbook you can order for a nominal charge. You can view sample pages on their website and order it on their website or call them for more information.
• Intensive Aphasia Therapy Centers provide a variety of aphasia therapy all day long for days or weeks at a time.  These centers usually provide hours of intensive therapy per day. Another option is to go to a University Clinic where speech pathology students-in-training will provide a few hours of therapy per week. Much less intensive but very economical.
• Aphasia Therapy Software that patients have been using for independent home (or clinic) practice since 1995.
• Aphasia Support Groups are also listed at the National Aphasia Association. Or call 1-800-553-6321 to find the stroke support group nearest you.
• Aphasia Hope Foundation has a variety of resources for those with aphasia.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Resources

• Dr. Diane - Website by, for and about Traumatic Brain Injury

• Therapy Articles  published by Bungalow's team of programmers and therapists.

• Other Speech & Language resources There are lots of useful resources on the web, including discussion groups, email lists, and lots of web pages.  Resources are organized by category (stroke, TBI, therapist info, rehab institutes, etc.)

Other Websites on Stroke or Brain Injury

• Rehabilitation web Rings  - This lists all of the Web Rings to which Bungalow belongs. If you like BungalowSoftware.com, you might find these helpful as well.
• Brain injury recovery aids, caregiver information, family support at  Bindependent.com

University SpeechTherapy Clinics

This is a great way to get economical speech therapy after insurance benefits expire. 

Universities that teach Speech Pathologists often have University Clinics where the students practice what they are learning. Patients can often get inexpensive  therapy at these clinics.

These clinics are in two lists: those that are Members of the Academic Council and those that are not. There is little difference (to patients) between the two, it's just the way they are listed.  The universities listed in the link below all have speech therapy programs so they are very likely to also have clinics where the patients practice under close supervision.

University speech therapy clinics