The use of speech to communicate is unique to humans. When speech is impaired or absent, the impact on the person and his family is profound.
Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability and communication impairment in adults.
An estimated 500,000 to 600,000 individuals suffer strokes every year. There are three million stroke survivors alive in the United States today. Over one million people nationwide suffer from aphasia or dysarthria, the primary communication impairments caused by stroke. Aphasia is an acquired disorder caused by brain damage, which affects a person's ability to communicate. The primary symptom of aphasia is an impairment in the ability to express oneself when speaking.