Aphasia

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person's ability to process language, but does not stem from a physical impairment like paralysis of the vocal cords. It results from damage to the brain, typically in the left hemisphere, often due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or neurodegenerative disease. This damage affects the areas of the brain responsible for language, impacting the production, comprehension, reading, and writing of language. Different types of Aphasia exist, characterized by the specific language deficits observed, ranging from difficulties speaking (expressive aphasia) to trouble understanding speech (receptive aphasia), or combinations thereof. Severity of Aphasia can vary, significantly impacting a person's ability to communicate, socialize, and perform daily tasks.

Aphasia meaning with examples

• After her stroke, Sarah exhibited symptoms of expressive Aphasia, struggling to find the right words to express herself, though she understood what was being said. She often used filler words like 'um' and 'uh' as she tried to formulate sentences. Despite intensive speech therapy, her language was still halting and effortful, frustrating her attempts to connect with her family and share her thoughts and feelings. The condition significantly impacted her ability to articulate her needs.
• The diagnosis of Aphasia following the accident meant John could no longer easily read or understand written instructions. Even simple signs became confusing, impacting his ability to perform his job that involved intricate tasks, or fill out necessary documents. He also faced difficulties in following conversations or TV shows. Speech therapy focused on regaining his ability to comprehend language and interpret written information.
• In the midst of a conversation, Maria suddenly paused, unable to name common objects, a sign of anomia, a type of aphasia. She knew what she wanted to say, but struggled to retrieve the correct words, causing social awkwardness. Her friends and family learned to be patient, often offering the missing words or prompting her to continue the story. Despite the challenge, Maria continued to seek help, hoping to improve her ability to converse.
• Researching the patient's history showed Aphasia stemming from a brain tumor, with both impaired speech production and comprehension. Tests showed this was affecting all language functions. Understanding what his needs were became a collaborative effort with the care team working with his family and developing methods of communicating his preferences. Alternative methods like pictures, drawings, and writing provided other tools.
• During the initial stages, the head trauma caused what was classified as global aphasia: loss of all language functions, including speech, comprehension, reading, and writing. The prognosis for complete recovery was uncertain, though it was hoped therapy would yield small improvements. Therapy required an intensive approach, starting with basic communication skills, gradually building up over time, with many forms of adaptive technology assisting.