having trouble finding the right words is just one sign of aphasia

if you care for someone with aphasia, which affects a person's ability to express themselves using words, there are ways to make communication easier.

by dave yasvinski

jan 17 2023

3 minute read

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having trouble finding words is a sign of aphasia

a post on instagram signed by his family said willis had developed aphasia -- a language disorder that robs people of their ability to communicate. (photo by angela weiss/afp via getty images)

aphasia, also known as dysphasia, is a disorder caused by a stroke or other damage to areas of the left side of the brain that control language and communication. the condition, which can occur suddenly (from injury) or gradually over time (from a tumour or neurological disease), makes it difficult for patients to read, write and speak or understand the words of others. aphasia can also occur as a temporary result of certain conditions, such as migraines.

although symptoms vary between patients depending on the location and extent of damage to the brain, the inability to effectively communicate can be frustrating and have a profoundly negative effect on quality of life, according to the aphasia institute . although people with the disorder maintain their intelligence and know what they want to say, they usually find that they are unable to do so. as interpersonal relationships suffer under the strain of the disorder, many patients experience a loss of self-esteem and a growing sense of social isolation.

fortunately, aphasia is generally treatable, providing the underlying cause of the disorder can be successfully addressed.

symptoms of aphasia

symptoms may vary depending on the specific form of aphasia a patient has and the extent of damage suffered but, according to the march of dimes canada , a person with the condition may:

have difficulty reading, writing or speaking
be unable to talk or find the right words when communicating
speak or write in an incomprehensible manner
struggle to understand the words of others
speak in short sentences

as aphasia is usually the result of a serious underlying issue, such as a stroke or neurological disease, it is important to seek medical attention if you or someone you know is having trouble reading, writing, speaking or understanding what others are saying.

how is aphasia diagnosed?

a doctor will typically perform a series of physical and neurological tests when investigating a possible case of aphasia. according to the mayo clinic , this can include testing a person’s strength and reflexes and listening to the heart and blood vessels in the neck. imaging tests, such as an mri or ct scan, are also effective at locating the source of the issue.

sometimes, a speech pathologist may be called upon to confirm an aphasia diagnosis by assessing a patient’s ability to communicate. this evaluation is also used to dictate the course of treatment.

how is aphasia treated?

if the damage to the brain is not severe, a patient may recover their ability to communicate with little to no treatment. for most people, however, some form of language or speech therapy will be required to recover these skills. therapy can be a slow process and, although most people recover most of what they lost, few are able to return to their pre-injury form. research has shown that therapy is usually most effective when it begins early and takes place in a group setting, where patients are made to feel comfortable as they rediscover how to communicate with others. sometimes, computers are used to help patients relearn sounds and words.

researchers are also exploring the use of certain medications to facilitate recovery from aphasia, particularly those that improve the flow of blood to the brain or replace depleted neurotransmitters.

how to communicate with someone who has aphasia

aphasia can make communication difficult and frustrating, but there are ways it make it easier :

speak directly to your loved one. keep eye contact.
speak slowly and simply. use your normal tone and volume.
give your loved one enough time to answer.
focus on what the person is saying. don’t focus on how they are saying it.
don’t fill in words unless you are asked.
limit background and other noise like screens and music.
ask the person to repeat something if you do not understand. or make sure you understand what they said by asking them “yes” or “no” questions.
use drawing, hand gestures, facial expressions, and writing to help communicate.

preventing aphasia

as aphasia is most commonly the result of a stroke or other unpredictable brain injury, there is no way to prevent the disorder.

how many canadians have aphasia?

there are around 100,000 canadians living with aphasia, according to the aphasia institute . it is estimated that one in three stroke survivors are diagnosed with the condition.

support for aphasia

find out more about aphasia and other communication disorders at the march of dimes canada , aphasia friendly canada and heart & stroke .

dave yasvinski is a toronto-based writer.

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dave yasvinski

having trouble finding the right words is just one sign of aphasia