Registered Speech Language Pathologist · Virtual Across Ontario · No referral needed
Stroke & Aphasia
After a Stroke, Every Conversation Can Feel Like Work.
After a stroke, talking and understanding can become a lot harder than they used to be. Words can go missing mid-sentence, items can look familiar but have no name.
Maybe words that used to come easily now get stuck, or it's harder to follow what people are saying. Maybe you're a partner or adult child watching someone you love struggle to be understood. Speech therapy can support both of you.
None of that means the person has changed, and none of it has to be faced alone.
Common Speech Changes After a Stroke
Every stroke affects communication differently. You or your family member might notice:
Word finding challenges
The word feels like it’s on the tip of your tongue, but it keeps getting away
Getting the wrong word
You say one word when you meant to say another
Difficulty understanding
Long sentences, fast talkers, or group conversations are hard to follow
Reading difficulties
Reading a message, menu, or book takes far more effort than before
Slurred or unclear speech
Words come out slow, slurred, and effortful; it’s harder for others to understand
Speech feels stuck
You know the word, but your mouth won't make the sounds on cue or the wrong sounds come out
Getting sentences out
Single words are fine, but full sentences fall apart partway through or sounds jumbled
Writing & texting difficulties
Writing an email, text, or shopping list is harder than it used to be
Family members and caregivers are welcome throughout this process. Support is an integral part of recovery after a stroke, and it will always be encouraged when possible.
what is aphasia?
Aphasia is a difficulty with language caused by damage to the brain. It often occurs after a stroke. It can affect speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.
It doesn't affect intelligence. The knowledge is still there, but now it’s harder to reach and share.
Aphasia is different from dysarthria and apraxia of speech, which affect the physical side of speaking rather than language itself. After a stroke, more than one can happen at once, and an assessment sorts out which is which.
If any of this sounds familiar, reach out.
getting start is simple
No referral needed
You don't need a referral or a diagnosis to receive speech therapy.
Start whenever you're ready.
Direct Billing Available
Cognicare direct bills most major insurers, including Canada Life, Manulife, Desjardins, and Beneva, so claims go straight to your insurer.
How Speech Therapy Helps After a stroke
Recovery looks different for everyone, but for most people it means:
✓⃝ Word-finding and sentences: Improve word finding, and getting words and sentences out in everyday conversation
✓⃝ Understanding: Following conversations, abstract questions, and longer sentences
✓⃝ Speech clarity: Clearer speech when dysarthria or apraxia of speech is involved
✓⃝ Reading and writing: Therapy targeting your needs, from single words up to texts, emails, and books
✓⃝ Returning to work: Practicing the communication your job depends on
✓⃝ Partner training: Caregiver coaching to provide communicative support on both ends of the conversation
Much of this work draws on the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia to ensure practical methods built around outcomes, not exercises for their own sake.
Getting Back to Work and Daily Life
Work
Managing demands of meetings, workload, and remembering instructions, with support for sustainably return to work
Daily Life
Managing the appointments, errands, planning, and household tasks that now take more effort
Relationships
Support for following conversations, remembering details, and keeping up with family and friends.
Related Conditions
These presentations are often complex and you may find that the information on the following pages also resonates with you:
what happens next
Free consultation
15 minutes. No obligation.
Assessment
A clear picture of your strengths, challenges, and goals
Treatment plan
Built around returning to what matters most to you
Functional application
Skills carry over into daily life through home practice and community integration, in the conversations and settings that matter most to you
Progress and taper
Sessions ease off as you meet your goals and work towards independence. You leave with a toolkit that's yours to keep and an open door to return to if needed.
why virtual speech therapy?
Online speech therapy offers the convenience of receiving personalized treatment straight into your home. It offers increased flexibility in your schedule, removes the commute time, and accommodates your abilities and energy.
With Cognicare:
No downloads or subscriptions required
One click access. You receive a personalized link to your session in your inbox
Sessions are safe, secure, and private
who you’ll work with
Mariya was the speech-language pathologist at Altum Health, part of Toronto's University Health Network (UHN), where return-to-work rehabilitation was a core part of the caseload. That background shapes how she approaches recovery beyond the therapy room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime!
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No. Aphasia affects language: talking, understanding, reading, and writing.
Apraxia is the planning that goes into shaping the mouth and slurred speech is often dysarthria. Dysarthria, affects the muscles used to speak.
Aphasia can overlap with these and an assessment can sort the individual’s specific challenges and needs.
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Yes. While the most rapid recovery often happens in the first few months, many adults continue to make meaningful progress with speech therapy well beyond that window.
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Family members are welcome in sessions, and part of the work is often showing family how to support conversation: giving extra time, asking specific questions, or writing key words down. Personalized strategies are practised in session so they're easier to use at home.
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Yes. If needed, a family member can help with setup and join the session, and sessions are paced to the person's communication.
There's also no travel, which matters after a stroke, when getting to appointments can be tiring or depend on someone else driving.