Dear fellow Speech-Language Pathologists,
Are you passionate about helping individuals with aphasia and their
families? If so, we are seeking your help! We are pleased to announce the
opening of the Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement (SCALE)!
Professionals serving individuals with aphasia are well aware of the lack of
services available to assist this population once they have been discharged
from the hospital. When treatment options are exhausted, these individuals
often become isolated and home bound due to their inability to communicate.
However recently, new approaches to aphasia treatment have shown that
through participation in programs that offer community support and coaching,
many individuals resume rich, active lives despite their aphasia. There are
now several Aphasia Centers throughout the United States that provide a wide
range of services designed to address the long-term communication needs of
people with aphasia. The impact that they are having on these individuals
and their families is remarkable!
Until now, individuals with aphasia and their families in the Baltimore
community have not had access to these services. In July 2008, The Snyder
Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement (SCALE) was established to address these
unmet needs. Beginning in September 2008, SCALE will offer a number of
services for individuals with aphasia specifically designed to promote
communication effectiveness, psychosocial adjustment and participation in
community. In addition, the center will provide education, training and
support for family members and caregivers of individuals with aphasia.
SCALE will not accept insurance reimbursement nor submit claims to insurance
companies. Instead, members will be charged on a sliding scale based on
family income. To offset the costs of serving a clientele that is unable to
fully pay for services provided, we will be depending on volunteers from the
community to support our services. We are recruiting individuals from the
Department of Aging, students from local Universities and volunteers from
the community at large. However, these individuals will need substantial
training regarding ways to support communication with individuals with
aphasia. In contrast, individuals who have experience communicating with
individuals with aphasia will require little or no training and can serve as
mentors and role-models for other volunteers who lack this critical
experience. Therefore, we are hoping that you will consider assisting us
with our mission by volunteering your expertise and time at SCALE. This
fall, SCALE services will be available to our members on Mondays and
Wednesdays from 10:00 to 3:30 pm. In addition, we welcome your assistance
ANY day or time to assist with training volunteers and/or activity
planning. If you are willing to serve as a “Communication Coach” working
directly with aphasic members and/or families, activities will include:
1)Computer Coach: Commitment: One day a week, 1-2 hours as a computer
partner assisting members in utilizing assistive software to write/record
personal stories, newsletter articles, supported email programs, etc. NO
COMPUTER EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
2)Conversation Partner: Assist in an activity or co-lead a group
discussion. Commitment: 1 day- 3 hours.
3) Creativity Partner: Assist members in our creative programs; for example,
volunteer in our greenhouse, art studio, music, cooking or community
outreach activities as you support members in communicating with one-another
and the community.

There are a number of aphasic individuals and families who are anxiously
awaiting the opportunity to participate in our program. Therefore, we are
depending on the support and time from volunteers who share our passion for
providing dynamic activities, programs and services to help those with
aphasia and their loved ones live a fuller, richer life. Please contact us
soon via email or at 410-812-5095.
Sincerely, Denise McCall, M.A., Program Director
Lisa Thornburg, M.S., Operational Director