Can AAC still be helpful if someone had their stroke ten years ago or more?
Like we said above, there is no set timeline for when AAC can be successfully introduced to someone who has aphasia. However, waiting to introduce AAC until long after a stroke is not recommended. For the person with aphasia, it means many years without a fully functional means of communication-years of frustration, depression, and social isolation. It sends the signal that AAC is a “last resort” and a sign that improvement is no longer possible. That being said, there is no reason AAC cannot be successfully introduced years after a stroke. As long as someone is unable to communicate fully using his or her speech, it is appropriate to introduce and teach the use of AAC. This can be done days, weeks, months, or years after a stroke.
