Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a rare dementia syndrome in which progressive loss of speech and language is the dominant symptom.
Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), when delivered by experienced clinicians and tailored to the individual’s changing needs, can play a valuable role in helping people with PPA and their families to manage their everyday communication.
We support over 100 people a week whose aphasia is caused by stroke. People with PPA have different needs. We have been running our dedicated PPA service since 2015.
The service is now expanding and has our former Director of Service, Rosemary Townsend, our expert clinician in this area, leading this unique and sought after service. Based on feedback from people we have already helped, research evidence, and on our own clinical experience these services are designed to support people at different stages of PPA.
We accept self-referrals, or referral from a health professional. All people referred are assessed for suitability before therapy is offered.
All support and interventions are offered in person and online. A subsidised charge is made for our services.
People with PPA are encouraged to attend sessions with a partner or family member but can be seen alone if appropriate.
Get in touch to speak to an expert about which of our services are most suitable for you or your family. Below are some examples of the kind of course which we may offer you.
FAQs
Dyscover is a small independent charity, established in 1994.
Our core services are for people with aphasia caused by stroke, and are led or overseen by specialist Speech and Language Therapists.
In 2015 we established a separate service for people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA).
This now runs two days a week and is led by Rosemary Townsend, Principal Speech and Language Therapist and PPA specialist.
Our base is in Leatherhead, Surrey (KT22 7AH) We may see people here, or online, using Zoom. Our Leatherhead premises has free parking and is completely accessible.
We have no geographical catchment area and can accept referrals from the UK and overseas. provided people meet our referral criteria (see below). We do not offer home visits.
Yes, we charge a subsidised rate for our SLT interventions. Grants and donations meet the remainder of our costs.
Assessment, education and therapy sessions with a SLT are charged at £60 an hour. Invoices are issued prior to the session. A cancellation fee may be charged for non-attendance.
We operate a discretionary bursary scheme for those in financial hardship – please ask for details.
Our service aims to provide information, advice and support to enable people with PPA to participate in everyday communication with friends and family, and to enjoy as much success as possible. This may include making changes to the environment, or to the way in which partners respond in conversation.
Our support is long term. We may offer one off sessions, group meetings with families, or a series of therapy sessions. We offer reviews to help with new or worsening communication symptoms.
Where appropriate, we may also offer the opportunity to meet others living with a similar type and severity of PPA, for mutual support.
We also work to raise awareness and understanding of PPA. We regularly engage in research and we provide bespoke training to other organisations. Contact us to discuss your needs.
We accept referrals of people with a tentative or confirmed diagnosis of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). PPA is a language – led dementia. The main symptom should be progressive loss of speech and language, with relatively preserved insight and memory.
Different terminology is sometimes used – contact us if you are unsure.
We work to maintain practical everyday communication, and so prefer to include a spouse or other family member in our support sessions and interventions.
Depending on location, we may offer in person support at Leatherhead, or online support, using zoom. Access to a device, and a good Wi-Fi connection are a prerequisite for online support.
Receipt of referral will be acknowledged. One of our staff will contact you by phone or email to find out more about your communication problems and your current needs. If we feel you are suitable for our service, you will be offered an initial appointment with our specialist SLT. This may take place in person, in Leatherhead, or online. It will involve fact finding, assessment, and exploring how we may be able to help you.
All our staff work remotely and part-time. Email is the best way to contact us. Specific PPA enquires to rtownsend@dyscover.org.uk .You can call 01737 819419 and speak to someone Mon to Thursdays 9am – 1pm. Outside of these hours you can leave a voicemail.
