By: Anju R, Speech Language Pathologist, Prayatna Centre For Child Development-Kochi
Imagine a life where you are not able to say even if you know what you want to say, Have difficulty finding words and not understanding what others says or reads. People living with this often-misunderstood condition find daily activities truly miserable and challenging. Aphasia is a neurological condition that disrupts a person’s ability to speak, understand, read, or write.
What is Aphasia?
Aphasia is most commonly caused by a stroke, the most common cause, stroke happens when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain, causing brain cells to die. Aphasia can also be caused by a head injury, brain tumor, or infection. The severity and type of aphasia depend on the location and extent of the brain damage. People with aphasia are still just as intelligent as they were before their brain injury. However, they may have difficulty communicating their thoughts and ideas.
Symptoms
Living with aphasia can be incredibly frustrating and isolating. Everyday tasks such as ordering food, making phone calls, or engaging in social conversations become daunting. This can lead to a sense of social isolation and emotional distress, not only for those with aphasia but also for their families and caregivers.
Symptoms of Aphasia includes difficulty speaking, finding correct words speaking in short or incomplete sentences, using unrecognizable words, not understanding other people’s conversation, writing sentences that don’t make sense, getting frustrated when trying to communicate etc.
Types of Aphasia
The specific type of aphasia a person experiences depends on the location and extent of the brain damage.
• Broca’s aphasia is a condition characterized by difficulty in speaking fluently, forming complete sentences, and finding the right words, often resulting in slow speech but with intact comprehension of language.
• Wernicke’s aphasia is a condition where the individual struggles to comprehend spoken language, even when it sounds fluent with nonsensical words or phrases.
• Anomic aphasia is a condition characterized by difficulty in finding words, which can affect both speaking.
• Global aphasia is the most severe form, causing significant impairment in all language communication aspects.
Raising Awareness and Providing Support
Aphasia can be managed by speech-language therapy. As therapists work on improving a person’s ability to express themselves and relearn lost skills. Speech therapy can help people with aphasia learn new ways to communicate and use of gestures, pictures, or communication devices. It can aid in verbal communication as well.
But before that, awareness is the first step in supporting individuals with aphasia. By incorporating simple steps like allowing patients extra time for communication, using simple, short sentences and focusing on non-verbal communications like gestures and alternative communications like pictures and drawing etc.
Aphasia being a complex and challenging condition creating an inclusive and supportive environment for those affected is of prime importance. By raising awareness and providing support, those living with aphasia can be improved their quality of life and connect with the world around them.
