A VISITING artist this week lent her insight on a lesser-known communication disorder as a means of enlightening stroke survivors on the condition.

Masterworks' artist-in-residence Rita Anne Piquet met with the Bermuda Stroke & Family Support Group at its monthly meeting at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to talk about aphasia and its effects.

Aphasia occurs where there is injury to the brain. The injury can stem from a number of causes, head trauma, brain tumours, infection, although the most common is stroke. Communication is impaired as a result ? production and/or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. The disorder occurs most frequently among older individuals.

A native of Canada, Ms Piquet teaches an art programme at the Aphasia Institute in Toronto.

"I'm not sure how common the disease is as it varies widely in its impairment," she explained. "Stroke survivors often suffer some paralysis, usually on the right side. As most people are right-handed they have to learn to use their non-dominant hand ? the left.

"They've had so many skills taken away from them by illness that they gain a lot of confidence in doing something they never imagined possible. What we've found is that art helps hugely. It gives students another means of communicating.

"They learn, in a non-verbal way, how to express themselves. It's a respite from having to communicate verbally and one of the major benefits is they gain a new skill. Most have never painted before. And for them to do the artwork, we have come up with strategies."

Yesterday, Ms Piquet's efforts were praised by the head of the local support group, Mark Selley.

"She's got an approach that is dynamite," he said. "For someone who has never painted before, to try and pick up a paintbrush with their non-dominant hand ? it takes a lot of patience. But it was very interesting to listen to her and we're very grateful that she came."

Toronto's Aphasia Institute is visited by students from around the world, interested in learning more about the disorder and how best to treat those with it. Ms Piquet has taught an art class there for the past six years.

As part of her programme, she has students produce works of art on leaflets the size of playing cards. This week, she encouraged members of Bermuda's Stroke & Family Support Group to do the same.

"I hope to take them back to Toronto and, once there, send some of those in Toronto back to Bermuda so I can forge a link between them," she explained. "The idea is to try and combat the feeling of isolation that many have. Many believe they are the only person with this disorder."

q An exhibit of Ms Piquet's own artwork opens at Masterworks' Bermuda House Lane gallery located at 97 Front Street. The gallery is open from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, telephone 295-5580 or, via e-mail, mworksibl.bm.