Aphasia – our hot topic for June
This month Lola has done a fabulous job in putting our Hot Topic Board together again; this month’s topic is Aphasia.
What is Aphasia?
This is when a person has difficulty with their language or speech. It is usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain, for example after a stroke.
People with this condition often have trouble with the 4 main ways people understand and use language. These are:
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
- Typing or writing
- Speaking problems are perhaps the most obvious, and people with Aphasia may make mistakes with the words they use. This could be sometimes using the wrong sounds in a word, choosing the wrong word, or putting words together incorrectly.
- Although this affects a person’s ability to communicate, it does not affect their intelligence.
Aphasia can occur by itself or alongside other disorders, such as visual difficulties, mobility problems, limb weakness, and problems with memory or thinking skills.
Types of Aphasia
Aphasia can be classed as “expressive” or “receptive”, which depends on whether there are difficulties with expressing or understanding language, or both.
Most people with aphasia have some trouble with their speaking, and will have a mixture of problems with writing, reading and sometimes listening.
Symptoms can range widely from, worst case, finding difficulty with all forms of communication to, best case, getting a few words mixed.
Some people are unaware that their speech makes no sense and get frustrated when others don’t understand them.
What are the challenges of living with Aphasia?
This can impact how a person feels and interacts with others. In some cases, it can lead to:
- isolation
- anxiety
- depression
If you or someone you know needs help with this condition, then please get in touch.