Aphasia Disorder

Aphasia is a communication disorder that commonly occurs after a stroke due to damage to the parts of the brain responsible for language. It can also result from traumatic brain injuries, such as those caused by falls, sports injuries, anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain), motor vehicle accidents, brain tumors, or other neurological conditions. Aphasia can impact any or all aspects of communication, including speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.

 

Aphasia affects individuals in different ways. Some people may have trouble speaking or expressing themselves, while others struggle with understanding language, and some experience difficulties with both. In mild cases, a person might only have trouble finding the right words, similar to having words "on the tip of their tongue."

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In more severe cases, individuals may have a limited understanding of what is said to them and may say very little or nothing at all. Aphasia can also make it hard to produce the sounds needed to form words. This may be due to apraxia (difficulty planning motor movements for speech) or dysarthria (slurred speech). It is common for those with aphasia to know what they want to say but struggle to find the correct words to express it.

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Treatment Approaches

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Aphasia impacts not only the individual but also their entire family. A speech-language pathologist will involve both the client and their family in the treatment process. An initial assessment is crucial to establish a baseline and set treatment goals, allowing us to develop an effective plan to support the person with aphasia.

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Treating the Person with Aphasia: After the assessment, the speech-language pathologist (S-LP) will create a personalized treatment plan based on the client’s needs. Treatment may focus on improving speech sounds, forming complete sentences, or using communication strategies like writing key words and gestures to reduce frustration and aid expression. A combination of approaches is typically used for the best results.

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Teaching the Family Communication Strategies: Involving the family is essential to the treatment process. Speech-language pathologists teach families effective communication strategies to help their loved one express their wants, needs, ideas, and opinions. Communication Partner Training is a critical component of post-stroke therapy, ensuring family members can provide the support needed to facilitate communication.