When Words Fail: Providing Effective Psychological Treatment for Depression in Persons with Aphasia.

More than 2 million people in the United States are living with some form of aphasia, a communication disorder that has been associated with high incidence of clinical depression. Despite their large numbers, persons with aphasia have received little clinical attention from psychologists and other mental health providers. The life participation interventions and supported communication methods developed and routinely employed by speech-language pathologists could assist mental health professionals in addressing the needs of this underserved population.

Support systems: older adults with neurogenic communication disorders.

As the population of older adults increases, there is a corresponding increase in the number of individuals with communication disorders resulting from brain damage. The purpose of this article was to describe the effects of aphasia and dementia on language and communication, and to suggest support systems for improving communication and maximizing residual language abilities. For both these disorders, we address the psychosocial environment, the roles of professionals and caregivers, individual versus group therapy, and support groups.