Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2024

Major

Communication Sciences and Disorders (B.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Samantha McDaniel

Abstract

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help people with aphasia (PWA) manage their communication symptoms and become more independent by supporting them linguistically and emotionally. During COVID-19, speech and language services were not as readily available to PWA due to quarantine restrictions resulting in isolation within this population. Individuals with aphasia had to redirect and find a new way to function daily. This study explored factors that affected quality of communication and quality of life for PWA during the pandemic, including technology, living situation, timing of stroke, and speech-language pathology services. Through an online survey, PWA from across the country expressed how their lives were impacted as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Following analysis, no statistically significant findings were drawn from the data. Limited participant numbers were a notable contributor to suboptimal statistical analysis. Further research in this area is warranted given the popularity and importance of teletherapy for individuals with aphasia.

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