Language Recovery & Communication Technology Lab
LAB MISSION
The mission of the Georgia State University Language Recovery & Communication Technology Lab is to improve the quality of life for people with aphasia through:
- exploring how various technologies can be implemented to facilitate language recovery and to support communicative performance of people with aphasia;
- examining how mind-body practices, might be harnessed to build resilience, and coping for people with aphasia and their co-survivors;
- collaborating with stakeholders such as speech-language pathologists, stroke survivors and their co-survivors to improve the translation of the lab’s research;
- mentoring students to become future clinicians, researchers and leaders in communication sciences and disorders.
CURRENT PROJECTS
People with post-stroke aphasia often live this condition chronically. Dr. Dietz notes that commonly, “We work to restore language and alternative interventions are often provided only when the person plateaus — leaving them to feel as if therapists have given up and that recovery is over.”
In the LaRCT Lab, we work creatively to generate novel treatments that help people with aphasia live their lives to their fullest — from the beginning of their stroke journey.
Promoting AAC-Induced Language Recovery (PAIL)©
PAIL© helps people with aphasia learn how to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technology as:
- a language recovery tool for self-cueing during word-finding challenges and
- to help compensate for communication challenges when words fail.
Dr. Dietz is also interested in identifying PAIL-specific neurobiomarkers; check-out our recent publications on the topic.
Adapted Yoga
for Aphasia
Dr. Dietz collaborates with Lauren Bislick, Ph.D. at the University of Central Florida and E. Susan Duncan, Ph.D. at Louisiana State University. Together they work alongside SLP Stephanie Van Allan, survivor and yogi, J. Chase Rushlow and co-survivor and yogini, Deanna Rushlow. The self-dubbed, Team Yoga met at Project BRIDGE in 2018 and work alongside clinician, patient and caregiver stakeholders. In 2020, Dietz completed her 200 hour Registered Yoga Teacher training to help advance this line of inquiry. Team Yoga pursues their work in honor of Terri Kersey, who first helped launch the idea of integrating yoga into stroke rehabilitation before her unexpected death in 2019.
Yoga4phasia©
This programmatic research assesses the impact of adapted, aphasia-friendly yoga on resilience and coping in people with aphasia. We also examine how Yoga4phasia© can improve relationship mutuality between stroke survivors and their friends and family when they practice together.
YogaMATE©
(Yoga to MAximize Therapeutic Effect)
A line of inquiry that examines how gentle (often seated) yoga can be incorporated into traditional aphasia rehabilitation with practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs).
CONTACT US
Survivor Participation Form
If you are interested in participating in aphasia studies, please fill out this form, and Dr. Dietz (or a member of her team) will reach out to you.
Accepting Students
Aimee Dietz, Ph.D. CCC-SLP, RYT 200 – CSD Chair
Dr. Dietz is currently accepting applications for Ph.D. students with a deadline to apply by December 1. To apply for the degree program, visit the Communication Sciences and Disorders Ph.D. program page.
Master’s and undergraduate students are welcomed year around. To apply for the M.S. degree program, visit the Communication Sciences and Disorders M.S. program page (December 1 application deadline).
If you’re interested in applying, working or volunteering in the LaRCT Lab contact Dr. Aimee Dietz.