Our Story

Elaine & Mike Adler

Founders of the Adler Aphasia Center

Mike and Elaine Adler, two successful entrepreneurs and community activists, founded the Adler Aphasia Center in 2003 located in Maywood, NJ. Ten years earlier, Mike had suffered a stroke after bypass surgery. The stroke left Mike with aphasia. Elaine’s life changed as well. She felt frustrated, confused and helpless as she tried to put their changed lives back together. Although there were many hospital-based speech pathology services in the area that could help Mike with his aphasia, the Adlers found no program that could help him adjust to living with aphasia. The Adlers researched speech pathology clinics around the world and uncovered several unique programs where people touched by aphasia were learning new ways to communicate.

Today, the Adler Aphasia Center offers three locations, in Maywood, Toms River and West Orange, NJ, that welcome people with aphasia and their caregivers and offers them innovative quality programming and services that help people re-engage in their communities and get on with their lives. Additionally, the Center offers bi-monthly Aphasia Communication Groups in Haddonfield, Hammonton, Maywood, Monroe, Toms River, and virtually.

Adler Aphasia Center Through the Years

Maywood Center opens in August

Elaine and Mike Adler founded the Adler Aphasia Center in 2003 located in Maywood, NJ.
1st NJ Resolution marking June as National Aphasia Awareness Month

The state of New Jersey formally declared June as National Aphasia Awareness Month.
Adler Aphasia Center’s first annual drama club production

Adler’s drama club performs a play every year where members with aphasia sing, dance and act.
2007 Adler Aphasia Center opens at Hadassah Academic College, Jerusalem

The Adler Aphasia Center at Hadassah College Jerusalem, the first international branch of the Adler Aphasia Center, was launched in July 2007.
2008 Adler launches its formal research program

The research program helps to demonstrate and highlight the effectiveness of the Adler Aphasia Center model.

Something Special program is established

Something Special, a unique design studio located in the Center, was created by a core group of members with aphasia with the guidance and leadership of the Center’s Something Special program director in 2009.

Members participate in first annual camping trip

Members along with caregivers and some staff go to camp each year where they boat, swing, practice archery and more while enjoying each other’s company.
Adler Aphasia Center at West Orange opens

The Adler Aphasia Center at West Orange was the second satellite Center established in West Orange, NJ.
1st Aphasia Communication Group launches in Bridgewater

Aphasia Communication Groups meet two time a month.
Establish 4 new Aphasia Communication Groups in Maywood, Morristown, North Bergen and Scotch Plains

Aphasia Communication Groups meet two time a month. North Bergen is Adler Aphasia Center’s Spanish speaking group.
Strengthening Voices campaign was launched and showcases Adler’s donor wall

This wall recognizes our donors who have contributed to the vision of our founders, the Adlers, and the future of the Center they built.
Three Aphasia Communication Groups open in Hammonton, Monroe and Toms River

Aphasia Communication Groups meet two time a month.

Virtual Aphasia Communication Group is established

Adler’s Virtual Aphasia Communication Group meets over Zoom once a week for people with aphasia to connect over their computer or smart devices.

Mike Adler Aphasia Task Force created in NJ

Mike Adler Aphasia Task Force is to ensure support systems are in place for people living with aphasia.
Communication Group opens in Belvidere

Aphasia Communication Groups meet two time a month.
Adler Aphasia Center at Toms River opens

The Adler Aphasia Center at Toms River was the third satellite Center established in Toms River, NJ.