Aphasia
Aphasia (uh-fay'-zhuh) is defined as an impairment of the ability to use or comprehend words, usually acquired as a result of a stroke or other brain injury. While mostly associated with stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors or infections can cause it. Severity of aphasia can run from mild to severe and can be transient or it can be permanent. There are several variations of Aphasia
- Global Aphasia
This most severe form of aphasia leaves patients with little ability to form comprehensible language, or to understand written or spoken language. They are left unable to read or write. - Broca's Aphasia
Patients with this type of aphasia produce speech that is very limited and requires a lot of effort. They can usually read and understand speech well, but are left unable to write. - Mixed Non-fluent Aphasia
This is similar to Broca's aphasia with effortful speech but these patients also have limited comprehension. Reading and writing are also severely affected. - Fluent Aphasia
In this form of aphasia there is severe problems in comprehension. Speech patterns are not much affected sentences flow well but the content of the speech is usually irrelevant and impaired. - Anomic Aphasia
This forma of aphasia leaves patients with full comprehension and ability to read. Speech patterns also remain intact, but there is difficulty in recalling specific words.
Treatment of Aphasia
Treatment and rehabilitation after stroke or any brain injury will focus on all the deficits caused by the injury. A Speech Therapist is the professional health care provider who would focus on that area of recovery. Recovery involves re-training the cognitive senses and learning compensatory strategies for dealing with communication functions that are permanently lost. New technology has also improved the communication ability for many victims of aphasia.
- Don't yell - the person with aphasia is not deaf.
- Do not talk down to the person - they are no less intelligent than they were prior to the brain damage.
- Be patient - listen and pay attention to what it is they are trying to say.
Resources
- Aphasia Resources
This collection of resources from the National Aphasia Organization has information for software, communication aids and rehabilitation centers.
- Tips For Living With Aphasia
From the Aphasia Hope Foundation, tips from victims and family.
- Coping Strategies
The American Speech-Language Hearing Association give tips for family members to help cope with aphasia.
- Aphasia Community Groups
A listing of support groups in the United States and Canada. - On-Line Support Groups
Links to some internet based support.
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