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Aphasia Therapy

Aphasia is a language disorder that results from damage to the parts of the brain that control language. Often caused by a stroke,

Aphasia affects a person's ability to communicate.

A Man Reading a Book Outdoors

How Aphasia Affects
the Four Components of Language

Spoken Language Expression  

  • Having difficulty finding words

  • Making grammatical errors

  • Putting words in the wrong order

  • Substituting sounds or words (e.g., “table” for bed)

  • Making up words (e.g., jargon)             

Spoken Language Comprehension

  • Having difficulty understanding spoken utterances

  • Requiring extra time to understand spoken messages

  • Providing unreliable answers to “yes/no” questions

  • Failing to understand complex grammar 

  • Lacking awareness of errors

Written

Expression

  • Having difficulty writing or copying letters, words, and sentences

  • Writing single words only

  • Substituting incorrect letters or words

  • Spelling or writing nonsense syllables or words

Reading Comprehension 

  • Having difficulty comprehending written material

  • Having difficulty recognizing some words by sight

  • Having the inability to sound out words

  • Substituting associated words for a word (e.g., “spoon” for plate)

"Not being able to speak is not the same 
as not having anything to say."

​

  1. Use short, simple sentences when sharing information,

asking a question or giving an instruction.

      Keep communication simple. Simplify your own sentence structure and reduce your rate of speech.

Emphasize key words. 

 

2. Reduce distractions and external stimulation.

Limit the amount of noise and distraction around you and your loved one when having a conversation. 

 

3. Ask “yes or no” questions, ask one question at a time.

When asking questions to your loved one, start with ones that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” or provide clear choices if a question seems more complicated. Ask questions that already contain an answer or a choice of answers such as, “Do you want green tea or black tea?”

 

4. Give him/her adequate time to respond without interrupting.

People with aphasia need more time to process the information, 

Remember to give the person time to understand and respond. 

 

5. Use gestures, body language, pictures, drawings to help convey your message.

Visual aids can still be a helpful tool to reinforce a message and improve understanding. Visual aids are a great resource when your loved one is experiencing word finding difficulties. It also helps the brain to connect the picture with the spoken words.

Strategies for Communicating
with a Loved One with Aphasia

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