Understanding aphasia
Aphasia is a speech and language disorder that affects how a person communicates. It can make it difficult to speak, understand others, read, or write. In many cases, aphasia may occur suddenly after a stroke or head injury, though it can also develop gradually from conditions that affect the brain, such as a tumor or neurodegenerative disease.
People with aphasia may know exactly what they want to say but struggle to find the right words or string them together. Others might have trouble understanding spoken or written language. Some experience both. The experience varies widely depending on which areas of the brain are affected.
What are common signs of aphasia?
There are many different kinds of aphasia. Logopenic aphasia involves worsening trouble thinking of the words you want to say. Semantic aphasia is characterized by increasing trouble understanding the meaning of words, finding the right words, or naming objects and people. Agrammatism describes a difficulty with using basic grammar and syntax, or sentence structure. Other kinds of aphasia have different symptoms, which may include:
- Speaking in short or incomplete sentences
- Substituting one word or sound for another
- Saying unrecognizable words
- Struggling to understand speech
- Difficulty with reading or writing
Depending on the cause, these challenges may appear gradually over many years or appear acutely over just a few minutes in the case of a stroke.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you suspect aphasia, everyday conversations may feel frustrating. But with the right treatment and support, many people find effective ways to adapt and reconnect.
Aphasia is typically diagnosed through language and neurological assessments led by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Treatment focuses on helping people regain as much language ability as possible while developing new communication strategies.
Speech therapy is central to recovery. Depending on the type and severity of aphasia, therapy may include exercises to improve speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as tools like picture boards or communication apps to assist with daily interactions.
Living with aphasia
Recovery looks different for everyone. Some people may have a cause of aphasia that allows them to make large improvements over time, while others continue to experience language difficulties. Support from family, friends, and speech therapists can make a difference in quality of life.
While aphasia may change how someone communicates, it doesn’t change who they are or their desire to communicate. With the right treatment plan, people with aphasia can continue to live meaningful, connected lives.