Aphasia
Aphasia is a language disorder that can affect an individual’s ability to communicate. This can make it difficult for individuals to speak clearly or comprehend language, & affect their ability to read & write.
Aphasia can develop when portions of the brain responsible for language are damaged. While it’s most common in middle-aged & elderly people, it can affect individuals of all ages, including children.
As a parent, caregiver, spouse, or family member to someone with aphasia, it can be disheartening to watch a loved one struggle to communicate. However, there are effective treatments available, as well as many ways to get involved & help someone overcome their communication obstacles.
As with all speech & language challenges, educating yourself on aphasia is the best way to make informed treatment decisions. For that reason, we’ve put together this informational guide to answer common questions about aphasia, identify signs & symptoms, explain how aphasia is typically evaluated, diagnosed, & treated...
- What is Aphasia?
- What are the Different Types of Aphasia?
- How Does Aphasia Differ from Dysarthria & Apraxia of Speech?
- How Common is Aphasia?
- What Causes Aphasia?
- What Are Common Symptoms of Aphasia?
- How is Aphasia Diagnosed?
- How is Aphasia Treated?
- How Can Aabber Treat Speech & Language Disorders Related to Aphasia?
- How do I Speak to Someone with Aphasia?
What is Aphasia?
As you may know, our brains have 2 halves - the left & the right side. Our language skills typically take place & are developed on the left side, & when areas of this side of the brain are damaged, it can lead to an impairment of our language abilities.
Aphasia is a language disorder that occurs as a result of this damage. It can make it difficult for an individual to speak, understand, read & write. The severity of aphasia can range dramatically - in some individuals, communication can be almost impossible, while in others, it can have very minor effects.
Additionally, aphasia can disrupt only a single aspect of language, such as the ability to coherently string words together in sentences or recall the names of people & objects. However, more commonly multiple parts of communication are involved. This can make it difficult for individuals to communicate with loved ones, navigate activities of daily living, socially connect with friends & family, or perform in the workplace.
It’s important to recognize that people with aphasia are not any less intelligent as they were before - they simply have trouble recalling information like they used to. While they may trouble using communication to express their thoughts and ideas - it is not the thoughts & ideas themselves that are disrupted. People with aphasia are just as smart as they once were, they simply need help with compensatory strategies to communicate better.
What are the Different Types of Aphasia?
Different aspects of language take place in different parts of the brain. Over time, researchers have been able to identify and recognize different patterns of speech impairment that correspond to the location of the brain damage. Below are a few types of aphasia and common symptoms that can take place as a result.
Wernicke's Aphasia
This type of aphasia results from damage to the temporal lobe of the brain. People with Wernicke's aphasia most often have difficulty grasping the meaning of spoken words. While they can usually produce speech, their sentences may not make sense & they may add unnecessary words or create made-up words. Often, they are unaware of these mistakes. As a result, it can be difficult for listeners to follow, understand, or derive meaning from what an individual is trying to say.
Broca's Aphasia
Broca's aphasia can result when the frontal lobe of the brain is injured. It can impact how an individual puts words together to create complete & coherent sentences. These individuals often have severely reduced speech output, talking in short sentences that are produced with great effort. As a result, their vocabulary may be limited, they may have difficulty forming intelligible sentences, & they often omit small words such as "is", "the", or "and."
Global Aphasia
This is generally the most severe form of aphasia that results from extensive damage to portions of the brain responsible for language. Individuals can have severe communication problems: they may produce few recognizable words, understand little or no spoken language, & not be able to read or write. They may also say the same few words or phrases repeatedly.
There are several other types of aphasia. Diagnosis by a physician or speech-language pathologist can help isolate & determine the type of aphasia an individual may be experiencing, & recommend appropriate treatment options best suited to help.