In recognition of National Aphasia Awareness Month, the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will host a lunch and several talks June 28 from noon to 2 p.m. for people with aphasia as well as their families and anyone interested in learning more about the troubling language disorder.

Aphasia, which usually is the result of a stroke or other brain injury, can damage speaking ability, comprehension, reading and writing.

For the event, which will be held at UTD’s Callier Center near downtown Dallas, representatives of several local agencies that provide speech and language therapy to people with aphasia will speak about their programs and will be available to discuss the various treatment options and resources available to patients.

Callier Center Speech Pathologist Molly Keebler said National Aphasia Awareness Month is a key opportunity to inform Dallasites about the disorder.

“Increased awareness about aphasia is important because in the past it was thought that no improvement in language was possible after about six months following a stroke,” Keebler said. “However, current research shows that with therapy and practice, the brain is able to find new connection routes that will improve communication. In fact, improvements can occur years after a stroke.”

Keebler currently leads communication therapy groups that are available at no cost to people living in South Dallas and Oak Cliff. The classes are made possible by grants from the Harold Simmons Foundation, Dallas Women’s Foundation, Citigroup and the Callier Center, which is part of UTD’s School of Human Development.

There are approximately 80,000 new aphasia cases per year in the United States. African Americans are particularly susceptible to the disorder because of a higher incidence of diabetes and hypertension, which ultimately can result in stroke.

For those interested in attending the lunch or obtaining more information about aphasia, please contact Keebler at (214) 905-3007.

About the Center for BrainHealth

The Center for BrainHealth provides innovative clinical programs and cutting-edge research and treatment of individuals with brain injury, progressive brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, and natural aging. The center’s stated mission is to understand, protect and heal the brain.