iTAWC (Intensive Treatment for Aphasia in Western Canada)

iTAWC (pronounced “I-talk”) is the first and only intensive aphasia program available in all of Western Canada, and has been running continuously since 2011. Located in beautiful Vancouver, we provide evidence-based, personalized, intensive aphasia therapy. Although our aphasia program location in Vancouver, British Columbia may provide especially convenient access to those in western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) and the western United States (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah), we welcome clients from all corners of Canada, the United States, and beyond. We also offer M-iTAWC pronounced “My-Talk”, which stands for Modified Intensive Treatment for aphasia in Western Canada. This is for people who wish to take intensive aphasia treatment on an individual basis. Our program is an “ICAP” (standing for Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program) and is one of only a handful of such programs world-wide. Within iTAWC, we provide treatment that is recovery-based alongside treatment that is focused on increasing social participation. Technology is used as appropriate for our clients for reaching both of these goals. Please take A Closer Look at our program to learn more about the structure and approaches used. Upcoming Programs Our fall 2024 program, scheduled for November 4th – November 29th, is open for registration on a first-come-first-served basis. It will take place at our offices, conveniently located on West Broadway and serviced by rapid transit in Vancouver. For further registration details or information please check out our Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us at itawc@columbiaspeech.com or 604-875-9100 to request an application package. Mission Statement At iTAWC, our mission is to provide evidenced-based therapy and treatment for people with aphasia, focused on both recovery of function and increased life participation; to build capacity for aphasia treatment by providing clinical training for future clinicians; and to provide a foundation upon which future research into aphasia treatment can be conducted. Core Values and Beliefs The ability to communicate is an essential component of an individual’s quality of life Each person with aphasia is an individual who must be respected as an expert in their own aphasia and their own aphasia symptoms; their treatment must be personalized to their goals and needs People with chronic aphasia can improve their communication regardless of time post onset, with appropriately focused and intense aphasia treatment The social network of people with aphasia is an essential part of their lives and their recovery in and out of therapy Future service delivery to people with aphasia will be enhanced by future clinicians receiving increased exposure both to people with aphasia and to current evidence-based treatment methods as part of their clinical training Future research into the efficacy of various aphasia treatment methods is necessary We are now accepting registrations for our Fall 2024 program on a first come first served basis....

Our Program

Posted by Alisa on Jun 9, 2012 in | 0 comments

Announcing iTAWC
In Vancouver, British Columbia!

Summer 2024 – Starting June 24th

Intensive Aphasia Therapy in Beautiful Vancouver!

iTAWC provides intensive aphasia treatment for people with aphasia from British Columbia, other provinces in Canada, the United States and beyond. People wanting to attend an intensive aphasia therapy program from the western United States (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah) and western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) will find the location of iTAWC especially convenient. However, participants who come to our aphasia therapy program from all over the world enjoy the beautiful setting of Vancouver, BC, Canada where iTAWC takes place.

iTAWC is centrally located on West Broadway, in the accessible offices of Columbia Speech and Language Services Inc, the agency which runs iTAWC. There is easy access from major rapid transit lines. A short bus ride or drive will take you to many of Vancouver’s renowned beaches, nightlife or cultural attractions.

For more information about attractions and accessibility in Vancouver, please see Accessible Vancouver. For further details about iTAWC, have A Closer Look or look at our Frequently Asked Questions.

Aphasia Boot Camp

“Aphasia boot camp” is how many of our clients refer to our program. Here’s why:

Speech and language therapy for aphasia for three hours daily for four weeks.
Apraxia therapy for those who need it
Individual, paired and/or small group instruction
Thorough pre-treatment assessment and orientation
Post-treatment assessment, family meetings and debriefing
A detailed final report that can serve as a blueprint for targeting further progress after completion of iTAWC
Comprehensiveness – we use a variety of evidence-based practice methods including constraint induced language therapy, life participation approaches to aphasia treatment (LPAA) and current technology as appropriate to each client’s needs. (See A Closer Look and Links and References for more detail)
Experienced, dedicated therapists with a passion for working with people with aphasia
Lots of individual attention – our staffing ratio is one SLP (speech language pathologist) to each client. On occasion, clients may have the additional input of a graduate Speech and Language intern.
Pre and post assessments and family meetings
More specifics about out Aphasia Boot Camp

How to Register

We are now accepting registrations for our spring 2024 program. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for costs, application procedures and further details. Or for more information, or to request an application packet, contact us at itawc@columbiaspeech.com or 604-875-9100.

We are now accepting registrations for our summer 2024 program on a first come, first served basis. Later program dates are TBD. Registration is limited to three clients.