Aphasia

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The aphasia road map isn’t always easy. Let us help you find your way.

What causes it ?

Aphasia is caused by damage to the language areas  of the brain. 

This may be because of a stroke, head injury, infections of the brain, tumours in the brain.

What is it ?

Aphasia is a language impairment affecting the production (expression) or comprehension of language and the ability to read or write.

Aphasia affects a person’s ability to communicate with others.  

Many people have never heard of aphasia and it can be frightening for you and your family.  It is an invisible impairment and can be difficult to comprehend. 

Where are these language centres ?

The left side of your brain controls your main language and communication centres. 

What sort of problems can it cause? Difficulties with:

  • Talking, Understanding, Listening

  • Reading (Alexia), Writing (Agraphia)

Everyone is different and there are different types of aphasia. It doesn’t always affect all of the above.

Talking and Aphasia:

  • I find it difficult to talk at all

  • The words are always on the tip of my tongue

  • I’m only able to repeat what someone else says

  • I can’t say the exact words I want to say

  • I can talk a lot but what I say is jumbled up and not easy to follow

 

Listening and understanding with Aphasia:

  • I can hear you but I can’t focus on what you are saying

  • I have difficulty following conversations and understanding some words.

  • It makes it much harder to understand when you talk too quickly or use long/complicated sentences. 

The basic process of communication:

  1. hear it

  2. remember it

  3. understand it

  4. think of an answer or idea

  5. find the words

  6. string the words together

  7. programme muscle patterns 

  8. articulate (say) the words.

Simple tips to support your family member with Aphasia

  • Use pictures or gestures when you are explaining – this can help the person with aphasia to understand better

 

  • Don’t pretend that you have understood – the person with aphasia doesn’t always have an intellectual difficulty and is very aware of what other people are saying or thinking (by seeing their facial expressions ! ).  Repeat back to them what they said, check if it’s what they meant.

  • Reduce background noises if possible – this supports the person with aphasia to focus on the language better.

 

  • Offer a pen & paper – they can support the person with aphasia to explain themselves better by writing, drawing or even scribbling something down….artistic skills not necessary !

  • Ask short and simple questions that have a yes/no response – this can support the person to engage more in the conversation and be able to participate.  It also gives them less information to process, understand and formulate an answer to.

  • Give the person extra time and avoid interrupting their attempts to communicate – this can reduce frustration and give the person with aphasia more time and practice to communicate.

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How can a speech and language therapist help ?

  • support you to re-gain self identity and confidence

  • we want to hear your story

  • find new ways to communicate

  • re-integrate back into life

  • find and recognise your strengths, capabilities and areas that need support

  • support you to meet other people who also have aphasia

 

“goals must be generated by the person” so therapy can then be mapped onto the person’s story” (Barrow 2012)