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While working or volunteering at the nursing home, you’ve probably met at least one resident with aphasia. The National Aphasia Association defines aphasia as “an impairment of language, affecting the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write.”
I decided to talk briefly about this condition today because sometimes people feel uncomfortable when trying to communicate with a person who has aphasia. We don’t know how to respond when someone doesn’t understand us, or when we can’t understand them.
What causes aphasia?
The most common cause of aphasia is a stroke that disrupts blood supply to the parts of the brain that affect speech. However, aphasia can also result from other conditions such a head injury, brain infection, dementia, or brain tumor.
Aphasia can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the cause. A person may also experience temporary aphasia because of conditions such as a TIA (sometimes known as a mini-stroke) or a seizure.
What are the types of aphasia?
Sometimes you’ll see aphasia divided into three categories: expressive (non-fluent), receptive (fluent), and global. In expressive aphasia, a person has difficulty speaking and/or writing. With receptive aphasia, the person finds it difficult to understand what other people say or write. Global aphasia is an even more severe condition that involves both expressive and receptive aphasia.
There are several sub-categories of aphasia, and the signs/symptoms vary depending on the type. A few of these signs may include:
- Substituting one word for another
- Struggling to find the right words
- Inability to realize that we can’t understand what they’re saying
- Writing nonsensical sentences
- Being able to read written words but not know what they mean
- Making up words
What can we do to treat aphasia?
Treatment for aphasia is vital because the condition can have a significant effect on a person’s life. Outcomes may include social isolation, depression, or stress in relationships.
Most people with aphasia benefit from speech therapy. Treatment should begin as soon as possible after the aphasia develops.
However, even people who have experienced aphasia for many years will often see some improvement through rehab therapy. Treatment sessions often include the family so they can also learn helpful communication techniques.
How can we communicate when someone has aphasia?
While communication approaches vary depending on the type of aphasia, these are several general tips:
- Remember that aphasia does not reflect an individual’s intelligence. Avoid talking over a person with aphasia or expecting other people to speak for them.
- Try a variety of communication methods. For example, a person may have difficulty understanding what you’re saying, yet they’ll understand gestures or pictures.
- Give the person adequate time to respond. Often, with a bit of patience, the individual can communicate effectively.
- Know that some people have more difficulty in a noisy environment or one with a lot of activity/distractions.
- Speak slowly and clearly, but use your normal voice. Aphasia doesn’t mean a person is hard of hearing.
- Resist the temptation to pretend you understand what they’re saying when you don’t.
What other communication tips can you offer? Please share them with my readers in the comment section.
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