Aphasia

Aphasia is a language disorder that impairs a person's ability to communicate, understand language, and use words effectively. It is caused by damage to the brain's language center, which is typically located in the left hemisphere. Aphasia can result from a stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or progressive neurological conditions such as dementia in the case of Primary Progressive Aphasia. Symptoms of aphasia range from mild to severe, and can vary significantly from person to person. People with aphasia (PWA) may experience difficulties in one or more of the following areas: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Oftentimes, individuals complain of knowing what they want to say, but not being able to find the words. They might feel as though words are "on the tip of the tongue.” Challenges with communication caused by aphasia can have a profound effect on one's participation in personal, professional, and community endeavors, at times leading to frustration, isolation, and depression.

Luckily, speech and language therapy has been shown to help. A speech pathologist can help retrain lost skills, reduce symptoms, develop strategies for effective communication, and increase the person's ability to participate in previously held activities.

Aphasia can have a profound impact on daily life, affecting various aspects of communication, social interaction, and emotional well-being. Difficulty communicating wants, needs, and ideas leads to frustration and difficulty completing basic daily tasks such as going to the grocery store or making a phone call. Aphasia can also affect one's ability to understand and use numbers. A common misconception of aphasia is that it impacts a person's intelligence - this is not true! It is a disorder of language.

Individuals with Aphasia often struggle to articulate their thoughts and form coherent sentences. This can manifest as difficulty finding the right words, speaking in fragmented phrases, or substituting incorrect words. Additionally, comprehension of spoken language may be compromised, leading to challenges in following conversations or understanding instructions.

Aphasia can also hinder a person's ability to read and write. Difficulty in recognizing written words, understanding sentences, and expressing thoughts in written form are common challenges. This can impact everyday tasks such as reading a menu, understanding written instructions, or composing emails.

The communication difficulties stemming from Aphasia can lead to social isolation, frustration, and a sense of loss. Individuals may experience decreased participation in social activities, strained relationships, and diminished self-confidence due to their struggles in expressing themselves and understanding others.

There are several types of aphasia, each with distinct characteristics. A speech pathologist can help figure out which type of Aphasia is present and choose treatment approaches specifically designed to improve them. More information about the types of aphasia can be found on this factsheet from the National Aphasia Association website.

If you have a loved one with Aphasia, there are several ways you can support and communicate with them effectively, but the first thing to do is to seek professional help. A speech pathologist can help you and your loved one develop individualized strategies to support their participation in conversations and daily life. They can include you in therapy using evidence-based techniques such as “supported conversation for aphasia” and “communication partner training.”

Beyond seeking professional help, a few general strategies for loved ones of people with aphasia to understand:

• Encourage and accept all forms of communication. Offer the individual a pen and paper to write or draw the words if they can’t say it.

• Use multiple forms of communication yourself - talk with your hands and draw pictures or words to provide context

• Provide them with additional time to think, and try not to fill in the words unless they have asked for help.

• Speak clearly, using simplified, adult language, and stay away from lengthy, multi-part directions or statements.

• Be sensitive to persistent changes in emotional well-being and seek professional help if the person seems depressed.