Aphasia, a communication disorder that can impede verbal and written communication, stems from damage to specific brain regions responsible for language control. According to the National Aphasia Association, aphasia affects almost 2 million individuals in the United States and is more prevalent than cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s Disease, or muscular dystrophy.
In fact, nearly 180,000 Americans acquire the disorder every year, yet most people have never heard of it!
It's important to know that having aphasia does not indicate a mental disorder or lower intelligence. Instead, it is a language impairment resulting from neurological damage and can affect anyone regardless of race, age, gender, or nationality.
Linguabilities offers online speech therapy for kids and adults. Our highly skilled and experienced speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are here to help you or your loved one to overcome any speech difficulties. We know how to address articulation disorders, stuttering, and speech delays.
This article offers insight into the causes and types of aphasia while highlighting the invaluable role played by SLPs.
What causes aphasia?
Aphasia is generally caused by damage to one or more brain regions involved in language function.
It can occur because of:
Stroke
Traumatic brain injury
Brain tumors
Degenerative neurological disorders
Certain degenerative diseases
Infections
In each case, disrupting the normal functioning of language-processing regions leads to challenges in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.
What are the Types of Aphasia?
Aphasia manifests in several distinct types, each characterized by unique symptoms and linked to specific areas of brain damage.
Broca's Aphasia
This type of aphasia affects expressive language skills, making it hard to articulate words and construct coherent sentences.
Wernicke's Aphasia
Wernicke's Aphasia impacts receptive language abilities, resulting in difficulties comprehending speech and producing meaningful sentences.
Anomic Aphasia
This is another type of aphasia whereby the individual struggles to recall words, mainly nouns and verbs, leading to frustration.
Primary Progressive Aphasia
PPA is a degenerative form of aphasia that gradually impairs language capabilities.
Temporary Aphasia
Temporary aphasia can arise from seizures, migraines, or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) that temporarily disrupt blood flow to the brain. TIAs, often called "ministrokes," can cause weakness, numbness, and difficulty speaking and understanding speech. Although the effects of TIAs are transitory, they can serve as warning signs for an impending stroke, necessitating immediate medical attention.
What are the symptoms of aphasia?
Aphasia symptoms can vary from mild to severe, contingent upon the location and extent of brain damage. Although the symptoms may overlap across different types of aphasia, seeking professional medical evaluation is crucial if one suspects aphasia in themselves or their loved ones.
Aphasia can affect various aspects of communication, including speaking:
Comprehension
Reading
Writing
Expressive communication (using words and sentences)
Receptive communication (understanding others' words)
Expressive communication symptoms may include:
Speaking in incomplete or unintelligible sentences.
Using incorrect or nonsensical words.
Arranging words in the wrong order.
Receptive communication symptoms may involve difficulty understanding speech, particularly fast-paced or figurative language.
How long can it take to recover from aphasia?
If the effects of aphasia persist beyond two or three months following a stroke, achieving a full recovery becomes unlikely. However, it is crucial to recognize that certain individuals may continue to experience gradual improvement over the course of years or even decades.
The process of improvement is gradual and involves providing support to the affected individual and their family, facilitating a deeper understanding of the nature of aphasia, and acquiring compensatory strategies for effective communication.
Speech Language Therapists' Role in Aphasia Rehabilitation
SLPs are crucial in assisting individuals with aphasia in their journey toward communication recovery. Customized treatment plans focus on restoring language abilities through targeted approaches, addressing impairments, and improving language skills. Additionally, compensatory approaches are emphasized to facilitate alternative communication methods such as gestures, pictures, or electronic devices.
Therapy also includes community support, aiding individuals in reintegrating into their communities, with group therapy providing an ideal setting to practice newly acquired communication skills.
Family involvement is highly encouraged, as SLPs collaborate with caregivers to provide education and training on effective communication strategies. A comprehensive care team for individuals with aphasia may include neurologists, cardiologists, occupational and physical therapists, nurse practitioners, case managers, social workers, and audiologists. These professionals collaborate to ensure a holistic approach to aphasia management and rehabilitation.
By raising awareness and promoting early intervention, we can ensure that individuals with aphasia receive the support and care they need to overcome the challenges posed by this complex language disorder.
ONLINE SPEECH THERAPY SERVICES AVAILABLE
If you (or someone you love) has a speech disorder, we can help!
At Linguabilities, we offer full speech therapy services from licensed professionals who can screen and assess speech and language skills.
If you are seeking an online program to help you overcome speech barriers and change the way you communicate, book your free 15-minute discovery session today.