Group treatment programs emphasize the facilitation of communication in natural situations, and provide social support for people with communication disorders and their friends and family. These groups are free of charge and welcome new members.

The groups meet in Room 329 of the Wendell Johnson Speech and Hearing Center at 250 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City.

Modalities Aphasia Group – Improving Communication (MAGIC)

The MAGIC group meets from 2-3:15 pm on Tuesdays. The goal of this group is to provide support and education to individuals with aphasia and their family members. Participants with aphasia gain valuable opportunities to practice their communication skills through games, conversations and guided art-making, all while being supported by graduate student clinicians in the neuro team rotation. Caretakers engage with one another and the grad student clinicians, who offer guidance for home management.

Aphasia Reading Club at the University of Iowa (ARC)

ARC is a weekly opportunity to practice and enjoy reading in a supportive environment.  This group is intended for people with mild to moderate aphasia who continue to experience difficulties with reading comprehension.  A variety of reading strategies and support are used to promote understanding of print at levels chosen according to individual ability. The group meets on Thursdays from 3:30-4:45 pm.

Laura Schmitt and graduate students in the speech-language pathology program facilitate the MAGIC and ARC groups.

Helpful Resources

UIHC offers a Stroke Support Group at their Iowa River Landing site in Room 0301 each Wednesday of the month from 10-11 a.m. Stroke survivors and their caretakers are welcome. Contact Erin Rindels (erin-rindels@uiowa.edu) for information.

Links to Helpful Resources Use the search box and type in "aphasia" to easily find information.

  • www.strokeboard.net – Strokenet Message Board contains lots of information about aphasia. Great Caregiver resource.
  • www.stroke.org – National Stroke Association has many links to other aphasia sites are provided here.)
  • www.aphasia.org – National Aphasia Association provides good networking source, with information and links to other sites.