Aphasia
What is Aphasia? Is There A Cure For Aphasia?
Communicating with Aphasia
Aphasia is a little-known language disorder that affects nearly one-third of stroke victims. It occurs when there is damage to the communications hub in the left side of the brain which are responsible for language. While aphasia disrupts communication skills, it does not affect a person’s thinking skills. For most people these are areas on the left side (hemisphere) of the brain. Aphasia usually occurs suddenly, often as a result of a stroke or head injury. The disorder impairs the expression and understanding of language as well as reading and writing, in fact it can affect all communication for some people.
Communicating with Aphasia
Aphasia is a little-known language disorder that affects nearly one-third of stroke victims. It occurs when there is damage to the communications hub in the left side of the brain which are responsible for language. While aphasia disrupts communication skills, it does not affect a person’s thinking skills. For most people these are areas on the left side (hemisphere) of the brain. Aphasia usually occurs suddenly, often as a result of a stroke or head injury. The disorder impairs the expression and understanding of language as well as reading and writing, in fact it can affect all communication for some people.
The simple definition is a complete loss or partial loss of language skills in an adult who previously had normal language. Aphasia can result from a stroke, a brain tumor, a traumatic brain injury, or from certain progressive disorders such as primary progressive aphasia. The important thing is aphasia itself is not a cognitive disorder. People with aphasia may have perfectly normal memory and thinking skills.
What causes aphasia? Aphasia usually results from damage to one or more of the language areas of the brain. A stroke is the most common brain injury that causes aphasia. Other causes include brain diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, Alzheimer disease, severe blows to the head, brain tumors, brain infections, and other conditions. A stroke occurs when blood is unable to reach a part of the brain. Brain cells die when they do not receive their normal supply of blood which carries oxygen and important nutrients. Other causes of brain injury are Who has aphasia? Anyone can suffer with aphasia, including children. How common is aphasia and how is it acquired? Aphasia affects millions of people worldwide, or 1 in 250 people – and is more common than Parkinson’s Disease, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. More than 100,000 Americans acquire the disorder each year. However, most people have never heard of it. While aphasia is most common among older people, it can occur in people of all ages, races, nationalities and gender. Are all cases alike? No. There are many types of aphasia. Some people have difficulty speaking while others may struggle to follow a conversation. In some people, aphasia is fairly mild and you might not notice it right away. In other cases, it can be very severe, affecting speaking, writing, reading, and listening. While specific symptoms can vary greatly, what all people with aphasia have in common are difficulties in communicating. There are many types of aphasia, but the most general categories are receptive and expressive aphasia. With receptive aphasia, the person can hear a voice or read print, but may not understand the meaning of the message. With expressive aphasia, the person knows what he or she wants to say yet has difficulty communicating it to others.
What are the signs and symptoms of aphasia? Non-fluent aphasia:
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Someone with expressive aphasia, non-fluent aphasia, may:
While understanding the disorder is important, learning how to best communicate – either as someone with aphasia or as the loved one of someone with aphasia – is essential. How is aphasia diagnosed?
How is aphasia treated? Some people recover without treatment. Medicines or surgery may be needed to treat the initial brain injury. These treatments may also improve aphasia. Most people with aphasia need speech-language therapy. The person may be frustrated when he tries to communicate. Speech-language therapy can teach him to speak slowly, use simple sentences, and avoid background noise. Does this apply to you or to a family member? First, determine how you or your loved one prefer to communicate. Do you want assistance with words or would you prefer to work on your own? If you say the wrong word or misunderstand what is spoken, do you want to be corrected? Once you establish how you or your loved one wish to communicate, the following tips may help along the way:
Where can I find support and more information? The American Stroke Association has developed an extensive list of tips for communicating after stroke. Read them here. For additional questions about Aphasia, please contact us or join a support group meeting. |
While understanding the disorder is important, learning how to best communicate – either as someone with aphasia or as the loved one of someone with aphasia – is essential.
Does this apply to you or to a family member? First, determine how you or your loved one prefer to communicate. Do you want assistance with words or would you prefer to work on your own? If you say the wrong word or misunderstand what is spoken, do you want to be corrected? Once you establish how you or your loved one wish to communicate, the following tips may help along the way:
We know now that Aphasia is a condition that decreases the ability to speak, read, write, or understand others and can be a short-term or long-term problem. Some people recover without treatment, but most people with aphasia need speech-language therapy.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Medical alert identification:
Medical alert jewelry or cards can let others know the person has aphasia. Ask your healthcare provider where to get medical alert identification.
Communication:
The person may be frustrated when he tries to communicate. Speech-language therapy can teach him to speak slowly, use simple sentences, and avoid background noise.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
The American Stroke Association has developed an extensive list of tips for communicating after stroke. Read them here.
For additional questions about Aphasia, please contact us or join a support group meeting.
Does this apply to you or to a family member? First, determine how you or your loved one prefer to communicate. Do you want assistance with words or would you prefer to work on your own? If you say the wrong word or misunderstand what is spoken, do you want to be corrected? Once you establish how you or your loved one wish to communicate, the following tips may help along the way:
- Be patient
- Stay positive
- Speak slowly
- Remove distractions such as television or music
- Find a quiet, well-lit space
- Use printed cue cards or letters
- When in a group, speak one at a time
- Consider seeing a speech-language pathologist (SLP)
We know now that Aphasia is a condition that decreases the ability to speak, read, write, or understand others and can be a short-term or long-term problem. Some people recover without treatment, but most people with aphasia need speech-language therapy.
Follow up with your healthcare provider as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Medical alert identification:
Medical alert jewelry or cards can let others know the person has aphasia. Ask your healthcare provider where to get medical alert identification.
Communication:
The person may be frustrated when he tries to communicate. Speech-language therapy can teach him to speak slowly, use simple sentences, and avoid background noise.
Contact your healthcare provider if:
- The communication problems are getting worse.
- The person is depressed and the feelings do not go away.
- You have questions or concerns about the person's condition or care.
The American Stroke Association has developed an extensive list of tips for communicating after stroke. Read them here.
For additional questions about Aphasia, please contact us or join a support group meeting.
USING COMPUTER THERAPY TO ASSIST SPEECH RECOVERY
Important Resource LinksTavistock Trust Selection Tool www.aphasiasoftwarefinder.org
React2 software www.react2.com StepbyStep software www.aphasia-software.com Different Strokes www.differentstrokes.co.uk Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice www.helpwithtalking.com Speakability -National self-help charity for people with aphasia www.speakability.org.uk Connect (Communication Disability Network) www.ukconnect.org Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk Aphasia Now www.aphasianow.org Speech Therapy Research Unit www.speech-therapy.org.uk |
Carers Trust www.carers.org
Speech Language & Hearing Centre www.speech-lang.org.uk Rehab UK www.rehabuk.org.uk |
Carers Direct www.nhs.uk/carersdirect
Health Advice www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Healthy Eating www.eatwell.gov.uk Heart Health www.bhf.org.uk Aphasia Fact Sheet |