Aphasia
Aphasia is a language disorder that impacts a person’s ability to communicate. Aphasia is typically caused by a stroke, brain injury or brain tumor and treatment.
Language difficulties associated with aphasia can cause difficulty with the following:
- Speaking
- Understanding what other people are saying
- Reading
- Writing
- Using gestures
Aphasia does not reduce a person’s intelligence.
Speech-Language Pathology Evaluation & Therapy
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) have specialty training in evaluating individuals with aphasia. Your assessment may include some of the following tasks:
- Stating personal information (name, birthdate, etc.)
- Answering yes / no questions
- Following single and multi-step directions
- Naming pictures or objects
- Answering open ended questions
- Participating in conversation
- Reading
- Writing
Using this information, your SLP will identify your areas of communication strength and weakness, and develop a tailored therapy plan to help maximize and improve your language skills. Your SLP will implement a person-centered approach and focus on life participation as you learn to live with aphasia.
Additional Information
National Aphasia Association:
American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA):
Aphasia Access:
Australian Aphasia Research Pathway:
Aphasia Institute:
Aphasia You Tube Channel:
Videos
Aphasia, Imagine Life Without Words:
Aphasia - Supported Communication Example: