Connecting Language and Art: Facilitating Speech and Language Recovery

“Connecting Language and Art” is an important tool for adults who need to work speech and language skills due to stroke or other brain traumas. It is a functional speech and language workbook created for individuals to use alone or with a caregiver. Aphasia, a language disorder caused by injury or deterioration to the brain’s language center, can have a devastating impact on an individual. The loss of effective communication makes many daily tasks difficult. Incorporating art and creativity with specific speech and language tasks is a sophisticated approach for increasing word retrieval and functional communication. It also taps into different areas of the brain which allows the individual or the individual and caretaker to see where there are strengths and weaknesses. Strengths can be built on and weaknesses can be improved building confidence. This book was created to fill a void in the marketplace. Connie Guarneri, a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Adrienne Yorinks, an award-winning artist met in 2013 when Adrienne’s mom was afflicted with Aphasia due to a stroke. This workbook was designed specifically to address this important problem. Their collaboration, “Connecting Language and Art” seeks to provide an interesting and fun workbook while facilitating speech and language recovery. Each task presented is in conjunction with standard speech therapy practices. The unique incorporation of art allows individuals with Aphasia to be creative while stimulating the brain for recovery.