Aphasia

Aphasia is a communication problem.  In most cases it happens when there is damage to the left side of the brain.

If your loved one has trouble speaking, writing or gesturing, it is called expressive aphasia.  If someone has trouble understanding speech or writing, it is called receptive aphasia.

Aphasia varies from mild to severe.  Expressive problems include:

• Not being able to speak or write at all

• Using only single words or brief phrases

• Minor trouble finding the right word

Often sounds within words are turned around, such as calling a bathtub a tathbub.  Or he or she may use the wrong word, such as calling a bed a chair.  In some cases, nonsense words are used.

Receptive aphasia also has a wide range.  Some people can’t understand speech or writing at all.  Others only have trouble understanding ideas that are new or complicated.  People with this problem often need more time to understand what is said.

You can help your loved one by repeating or rephrasing information.  It may also help to use gestures and pictures.

If your loved one has aphasia, a Speech and Language Pathologist will test his or her communication skills.  This finds his or her strengths and weaknesses.  The speech pathologist will use the results of this test to make a personal treatment plan for your loved one.