CMU student creates a community through aphasia research

As a freshman, Allison Strnad fell in love with speech-language pathology work. Her passion grew when she began working alongside Dr. Katie Strong on her research in the Strong Story Lab. The Strong Story Lab researches evidence-based techniques to support speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other health care professionals to co-construct stories with people who have aphasia. Now, Ms. Strnad is conducting this research under the supervision of Dr. Strong.  She hopes to connect with future clients through storytelling.

The project collected data over six semesters, during which individual storytellers collaborated with student story coaches from Central Michigan University’s Speech-Language Pathology Master’s Program to co-create a story that explored life with aphasia, focusing on who the individual was, is, and will be. The program centered on the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia, which goes beyond language impairment to highlight the individuals' lives and identities. After the ten-to-twelve-week program, the storytellers shared their stories through Virtual Connections for Aphasia. Follow-up interviews were then conducted with participants, and Ms. Strand, in collaboration with Dr. Strong and another CMU alumna Allison Keusch, analyzed three of the interviews. By examining the transcripts using a qualitative thematic approach, they identified four key themes. These themes revealed that the co-constructed story program provided participants with a positive experience, inspiring them to advocate, explore their identity, and build a sense of community. The findings suggest that the program contributed to an improved quality of life for participants. “By creating an environment that fosters storytelling, we may enhance clients' mental health while they receive treatment,” Ms. Strnad remarked.

SLPs commit to improving the quality of life for their patients; however, without having the words to speak, sometimes a patient may feel a sense of loss in who they are.  “Storytelling can bring out things that an individual has forgotten about themselves and explore who they are and who they want to be,” Ms. Strnad indicated.

As a result of her research, Ms. Strnad will be presenting her findings at the 8th Annual Research Symposium in The Herbert H. & Grace A Dow College of Health Professions on April 9, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Research across the health professions will be presented by faculty, staff, and students.

Ms. Strnad is on track to graduate in December 2025. We are excited to see what the future holds for her. She encourages future graduate students to remember that they are capable of making meaningful contributions to their field and to ask for help. By providing real-world experiences to students like Ms. Strnad, CMU ensures they leave better equipped with a strong foundation for a bright future.