Everyday Aphasia Therapy: Use Catalogs & Hobbies to Boost Recovery

Genevieve Richardson Author

Discover how to use everyday items like catalogs and hobbies for aphasia therapy.

Unlocking Everyday Aphasia Therapy: How Catalogs and Hobbies Can Fuel Your Recovery

Living with aphasia—whether it’s Broca’s, Wernicke’s, conduction, or anomic aphasia—can feel like an uphill battle. After therapy sessions end, many people wonder, “What now?” The great news is that therapy doesn’t have to stop at the clinic or involve complex tools. Recovery can happen right at home, using items you already have—like a catalog or your favorite hobby.

In this post, we’ll explore how to turn everyday objects into powerful tools for communication and cognitive practice, helping you take control of your progress.

Why Everyday Therapy Works for Aphasia

Aphasia therapy doesn’t have to mean hours of formal exercises. In fact, integrating therapy into your daily routine can help strengthen communication skills in ways that feel natural and meaningful.

For instance, flipping through a catalog lets you practice essential skills like:

• Naming and Word Retrieval: Describe what you see in the pictures, like “blue scissors” or “pallet truck.”

• Reading Practice: Read headlines, item descriptions, or even prices aloud.

• Writing Skills: Copy item names, jot down dream wish lists, or even compare prices.

This approach isn’t just for people with aphasia. Care partners can also use these techniques to support loved ones. It’s fun, creative, and personal—which means it’s more likely to stick.

Turning Hobbies into Therapy: The Fishing Rod Example

Do you have a favorite hobby, like fishing? Shopping for your dream fishing rod is more than just fun—it’s therapy!

Here’s how to make it work:

1. Imagine Your Perfect Trip: Are you fishing on a lake, in a river, or out at sea? Write or say the words “lake,” “trout,” or “catch and release” to practice vocabulary.

2. Dive into Details: Research rods online. Practice naming features like “reel type” or “rod length.”

3. Plan Your Day: Pretend you’re packing for your trip. Make a list of what you need—bait, sunscreen, snacks—and practice saying or writing those words.

Every small action builds language skills, confidence, and independence, whether you're navigating Broca’s aphasia or working to overcome anomic challenges.

Making Therapy Personal and Fun

The beauty of home-based aphasia therapy is that it can be tailored to your interests. Love cooking? Use recipes to practice reading and naming ingredients. Prefer gardening? Plan your dream garden and list the tools you’d need.

When therapy is personal, it doesn’t feel like work. It becomes part of your life—and that’s when the most progress happens.

Why Progress Doesn’t Stop After Therapy

If you’ve been discharged from therapy or are searching online for “speech therapy near me,” don’t feel discouraged if you can’t find an in-person option. Online resources are an incredible alternative for continuing recovery from aphasia.

Remember:

• Recovery is not linear.

• There’s no such thing as a “plateau.”

• You have the power to keep making progress every day.

"Research shows the brain can adapt and rewire itself long after an injury. Recovery is always possible when you keep practicing."

By taking small, consistent steps, you can continue to strengthen your communication and cognitive skills, whether it’s through home-based activities or virtual support.

Your Action Step

Here’s what you can do today to start your home therapy journey:

1. Save every catalog that comes in the mail. Even those service magazines with ads for plumbers and handymen can be a goldmine for therapy.

2. Create a dedicated space for therapy. Keep your catalogs, a notebook, and a pen nearby so you’re ready to practice.

3. Get creative. Use your hobbies or interests to make therapy fun and personal.

Schedule a Free Strengths Consultation

Schedule a free Strengths Consultation today. Together, we’ll explore your goals and create a plan to help you build on your progress. Schedule your session here.

Recovery is a journey, not a destination. Whether it’s using a catalog, dreaming about fishing, or finding support through online resources, you have the tools to move forward. Progress starts with one small step—why not take it today?

If you want to hear more about this topic, watch or listen to episode #133 of the Listen For LIFE Aphasia Podcast. [Click Here]

Categories: : Aphasia, Stroke Recovery, Stroke Survivor, Therapy Methods