SLP Faculty Help Advance Care for People with Primary Progressive Aphasia

Drs. Tijana Simic & Elizabeth Rochon

Story Adapted By: Jessica Boafo

Imagine gradually losing your ability to speak, while your mind remains sharp. That’s the daily reality for people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative disorder that erodes language and communication, yet often spares other cognitive faculties. Despite the significant impact on daily life, therapy and support options are often limited.

A recent study, co-authored by Dr. Tijana Simic (SLP faculty member and Affiliate Scientist at KITE), Professor Emeritus Dr. Elizabeth Rochon and others, alongside colleagues at UHN’s Memory Clinic, explored the potential of a comprehensive group-based program for individuals with PPA and their caregivers.

Over a series of six- to eight-week sessions, participants received a blend of personalized language therapy, communication strategy training, multidisciplinary education, and caregiver support. While standardized measures showed only modest changes, participants and caregivers reported meaningful benefits, including improved confidence, motivation, a stronger sense of community, and reassurance through access to expert support.

This person-centered approach underscores the importance of combining therapy with education and psychosocial support. It also lays the foundation for refining treatment strategies to better preserve communication and quality of life for those affected by PPA.

We look forward to seeing how this approach evolves and impacts the quality of life for people living with PPA and strengthens the SLP community’s capacity to deliver integrated, person-centered care.

Read the full story on UHN Research.