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Can bird-watching help stroke survivors speak again?

Stroke survivors at the University of Montana's Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program engage in bird-watching activities each summer, providing a natural, low-pressure setting that encourages communication through shared attention.
Co-Director Jenna Musick and Catherine Off launched the initiative to address isolation that often follows Aphasia, a chronic condition affecting language, reading, and writing skills in stroke survivors.
Avian ecologist Victoria Dreitz collaborates with speech-language pathology experts at the Avian Science Center, utilizing the campus's diverse bird population and artifacts like preserved Owl specimens to spark curiosity and purposeful conversation.
Using seasonal observations and Owl artifacts, survivors practice conversational skills and reconnect with their families and care partners after leaving therapy sessions.
Researchers are measuring outcomes and training clinicians to expand this model, aiming to provide nature-based rehabilitation opportunities for People with Aphasia beyond Montana.

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