Lost for Words: Understanding and Supporting People with Aphasia

Lost for Words: Understanding and Supporting People with Aphasia

Did you know over 2 million people in the U.S. have a condition called aphasia that affects their ability to communicate, yet most people are unaware of it? This June, the National Aphasia Association is working to change that and encourage more inclusive communication practices.

Overview
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage, most commonly from strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s. It impacts a person’s ability to speak, listen, read, and write, but not their intelligence. With greater public awareness and support, people with aphasia can live more fulfilling and connected lives.

3 Facts
1. Aphasia affects more people than Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, yet the condition is not widely understood.
2. There are several types of aphasia, including expressive aphasia (difficulty forming sentences) and receptive aphasia (difficulty understanding language).
3. It’s entirely possible for someone with severe aphasia to relearn language over time with speech therapy.

3 Things To Do
1. Speak simply and slowly when communicating with someone with aphasia, and offer patience.
2. Share awareness campaigns and learn more about advocacy groups for aphasia on social media.
3. Volunteer or donate to a local rehabilitation center to help fund therapy programs.

3 Resources
1. National Aphasia Association – Comprehensive resources for patients and families.
2. American Stroke Association – Resources on stroke recovery and aphasia.
3. Lingraphica – Assistive technology and speech therapy tools.