The Scoop At TRP- May 2026

May 2026

Inside The Recovery Project: Patient-Centered Goals for People Living with Aphasia

Every year, aphasia impacts the lives of approximately 2 million Americans, and is more common than Parkinson’s Disease, Cerebral Palsy, or muscular dystrophy (National Aphasia Association, 2024). Unfortunately, aphasia rehabilitation is often short-term and limited by insurance, with speech therapy goals needing to be focused most on patient-driven communication for the best long-term benefits.

When we practice activities of daily living in therapy, it becomes easier and more enjoyable to take the speech therapy back home and practice communicating with strategies learned in therapy. This carry-over is essential for ongoing communication and understanding that their voice matters outside of traditional paper and pencil activities. Encouraging people with aphasia to continue participating in activities they love is the best way to promote recovery, in and out of therapy!

By: Chrissy Regan, M.A., CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO READ MORE!

Click Here to Learn More About Living with Aphasia

TRP Program Spotlight: VitalStim Treatment for Dysphagia

VitalStim therapy is a specialized treatment used to improve swallowing function in individuals with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties). Weakness or poor coordination of the swallowing muscles can increase the risk of aspiration, dehydration, and poor nutrition.

This therapy uses gentle electrical stimulation delivered through small electrodes placed on the neck to activate the muscles involved in swallowing. It is combined with targeted swallowing exercises led by a trained, certified speech-language pathologist, helping to retrain the brain and muscles through repetition and neuroplasticity.

A VitalStim program is individualized based on each person’s needs and is typically provided several times per week. The goal is to improve swallowing safety, support adequate nutrition and hydration, and promote greater independence with eating and drinking.

At TRP, this service is provided by our certified speech-language therapist as part of a comprehensive dysphagia treatment program.

Voices of Recovery

“The patients here are each at different skill levels/physical abilities and the training programs are tailored to each individual. The therapists are caring, helpful and not afraid to push you to your limits for fast results in an EXTREMELY safe manner. I'll be coming here until they kick me out!”

Steph A.

“From PT to OT, Speech Therapy, Counseling, Wellness Classes and more, it was exactly what my mom needed to get that "extra boost" of confidence. We were afraid that the program may be too much for her but it was the complete opposite. It was everything she needed. She built strength, improved her range of motion, talked about her experiences and most importantly built friendships with the staff.”

Summar R.

Recovery Tip of the Month: Supporting Memory After Brain Injury

Language-based cognitive changes are common following a stroke or traumatic brain injury. Many individuals experience challenges with memory, which can make it harder to fully participate in everyday activities.

At The Recovery Project, speech-language pathologists work closely with patients to provide education and practical strategies to manage memory difficulties. With the right tools and support, individuals can continue to stay active and engaged in their daily lives.

Here are a few research-backed strategies that may help improve memory:

External Memory Strategies

(Tools that support memory from the outside)

Use a planner, calendar, or smartphone to track appointments and tasks
Set alarms or reminders for important activities (medications, meals, events)
Write notes or create daily to-do lists
Keep commonly used items (keys, wallet, phone) in the same designated place
Use pill organizers or labeled containers
Post visual cues like sticky notes in frequently used areas

Internal Memory Strategies

(Techniques to strengthen memory from within)

Attention first: Minimize distractions and focus fully when learning new information
Repetition: Repeat information out loud or mentally
Association: Link new information to something familiar
Visualization: Create mental images to remember details
Chunking: Break information into smaller, manageable parts
Routines: Have daily routines to build consistency

By: Jordyn Sebastian, MA, CCC-SLP

Speech-Language Pathologist

Outcomes That Matter

Here are some statistics from 2025 at The Recovery Project:

6,036 SLP visits in 2025
Over 700 VitalStim visits
Top 3 diagnoses
- CVA
- Parkinson’s
- FMD

We maintained our core values of providing hope, compassion, and evidence based therapy delivered by extraordinary staff with the goal of improving the quality of life of each of our clients.

If you or someone you know has been living with a neurological disorder and you would like to learn more about how physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help, reply back to this email with the word “RECOVERY” and we will reach out with more details.

INFO@THERECOVERYPROJECT.NET

Could you or a loved one benefit from specialized PT, OT, or SLP services? Click the link below to see how The Recovery Project can help you today.

For more information on any of our programs check out our website at www.therecoveryproject.net

Hope Starts Here,

The Recovery Project

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Livonia
11878 Hubbard Street, Livonia, MI 48150
Phone: 734-953-1745

Clinton Township
15500 19 Mile Rd, Suite 330, Clinton Township, MI 48038

Phone: 586-412-0016

Lansing

3960 Patient Care Drive, Suite 117, Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: 517-325-0996

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