What is aphasia?

by Melanie Derbyshire Aphasia and Empowerment Specialist

Aphasia is the medical term for loss of speech and language.

It is caused by damage to the language centres of the brain after a stroke, head injury, brain tumour or other neurological condition.

Aphasia can leave a person unable to:
·       speak
·       understand what is being said to them
·       read
·       write
·       use numbers

Aphasia does not usually affect intellect.

People with aphasia know what they want to say, but their brain is unable to process their thoughts into language.

Aphasia affects each person differently. It can vary day by day, depending on how tired or how much stress the person is under.

People have described the experience of aphasia as like “being locked in my own head”.

How many stroke survivors have aphasia?

About one third of all stroke survivors in the UK have aphasia.

That is around 350,000 people in the UK with aphasia following a stroke.

What Top Tips would you give to people living with aphasia?

I know that lots of people with aphasia find these tips helpful.

Carry a card explaining aphasia and what helps you.
The perfect card to keep with you at all times, to help others understand your condition. This is great for when you are out of the house. It helps break the communication barrier.

Also try using………

pictures, maps, photographs

gesture (pointing, thumbs up and thumbs down)

drawing

Write down key letters or words

Spell out words – use an alphabet chart

Find ways to meet other people with aphasia – groups, social media and online

Keep communicating every day

Some people find smartphones, mobile tablets or iPads useful. You can use these to:

send texts and emails
make video calls
find online information
take and store photos
use maps
use as text readers, text to speech
use therapy apps

An aphasia-friendly guide to ‘Getting online with aphasia’ is available here:

Getting online for people with aphasia | Stroke Association

What Top Tips would you give to family and friends supporting people with aphasia?

Aphasia affects everyone differently. The speed and level of recovery varies. However, I find these top tips help in most cases. Use your knowledge of the individual to tailor what you do to their own abilities and interests.

1. Pick a quiet environment – no distractions, with no television or radio on in the background
2. Make eye contact – when you speak
3. Use simple sentences – one topic at a time
4. Speak clearly – and slightly more slowly than usual
  (You may need to say things more than once or more simply to help understanding. This will help improve the communication between you, and prevent embarrassment and loss of confidence)
5. Take regular breaks – all people with aphasia, even those who are coping well, find conversation tiring
6. Use ‘visual clues’ – where you can
  (For example, where possible, show the person the object, or a picture of what you are talking about)
7. Write down key words – this can help the person follow the topic
8. Write down any numbers – for example, dates, times, even postcodes
  (People with aphasia often find these harder)
9. Check understanding – on both sides
  (Sometimes people with aphasia confuse ‘yes’ and ‘no’ – they may say one, when they mean the other, so try to establish a clear gesture e.g., thumbs up or thumbs down)
10. Be honest – if you have not understood
11. Be patient – give people the time they need to respond, and try not to interrupt
12. Try new things – together! (A new hobby, maybe an exercise class, or a music or art-based activity could help you to establish new areas of conversation. People find it helpful to look forwards, rather than reminding themselves of things that perhaps they can no longer do)

It is important to show the person that you understand their problems, and that you know they have not lost their intelligence. Rather, it is their ability to use language that has been affected. Remind them that their difficulties are because of their aphasia.

Keeping a diary can be helpful to show people the progress they are making. Record what they were able to do today.

Always give positive feedback and provide encouragement to help them rebuild their confidence. This is your most important role – apart from looking after yourself, of course!