Stroke - Aphasia

Aphasia (UH-FAY-ZEE-UH) is a communication disorder caused by damage to parts of the brain responsible for language.  It can affect expression and comprehension including speaking, understanding speech, reading, and writing.

It’s like being in a foreign country where you don’t know the language; you still have your thoughts, but expressing them or understanding others becomes difficult.

People with Aphasia May Struggle To: 

  • Find the right words (word finding)
  • Speak in short or incomplete sentences
  • Have difficulty understanding others
  • Have difficulty reading or writing

This can lead to social isolation, frustration and/or anxiety, difficulty returning to work or daily activities. Each person’s experience is unique. Some may have mild difficulties, while others experience more severe communication challenges.

Aphasia is nota problem with intelligence; it only affects how a person uses and understands language.

What Causes Aphasia?

Aphasia can happen suddenly after a stroke or a head injury or can occur gradually over time from infections or degenerative diseases. The severity of aphasia depends on several factors including the cause and the extent of the brain damage.

  • Strokes: The leading cause, occurring when a blood clot (ischemic) or ruptured blood vessel (hemorrhagic) blocks blood flow to the brain, damaging language cells
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Severe head trauma or concussions that damage brain tissue
  • Brain Tumors: Growths that put pressure on or infiltrate language networks
  • Infections and Inflammation: Conditions like encephalitis that directly affect brain function
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases: Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), where language skills gradually deteriorate over time

1 in 3 stroke survivors experience Aphasia

How Can Speech Clinicians Help?

    Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assess for aphasia, create they personalized therapy goals and provide speech and language therapy. These goals may also target other areas that have been affected including apraxia, dysarthria, voice, cognitive-communication and swallowing (dysphagia).

     

    Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) evaluate an individual’s language difficulties and create personalized strategies and exercises to enhance communication skills. Research shows that speech therapy can lead to 175% to 1200% greater improvement compared to natural recovery alone. While progress can continue for years after a stroke, starting therapy as early as possible—ideally within the first three months—leads to the most significant gains.

    Treatment is individualized and may include evidence-based techniques such as:

    • Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA)
    • Phonological Component Analysis (PCA)
    • Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST)
    • Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT)
    • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
    • Communication Partner Training (CPT)
    • Word-Finding techniques
    • Total Communication Approach

    Strategies for the Individual with Aphasia

    Strategies for Communicating with Someone with Aphasia
    • Word-Finding Techniques: If you cannot find a word, try describing it, visualize the first letter, use a gesture, or point to it
    • Write it Down: Try writing down or drawing what you mean
    • Use Assistive Tools: Your SLP may recommend the use of AAC
    • Delay and Associate: Take a breath, pause for a second, and think of related words or synonyms
    • Speak naturally and clearly, as you would with any adult
    • Focus on one idea at a time to avoid confusion
    • Write down key words to support understanding
    • Use visual aids and gestures
    • Ask yes/no or choice questions
    • Confirm what you understood
    • Praise effort, include them fully
    • Ask their preferences—keep the communication person-centered

    We’re here to help! Contact us for more information or to schedule an assessment and treatment.