Reducing Stress in Our Lives
Stress Awareness Month has been recognized every April since 1992, but stress continues to be an issue in our lives not matter our age.
~ by Richard Sgaglio
June is National Aphasia Awareness Month, yet few Americans even know what aphasia is. According to the National Aphasia Association, 2 million people in the United States have aphasia, but 84.5% of Americans state that they’ve never heard the term aphasia.
Aphasia is a language disorder that occurs when someone experiences brain damage, such as a stroke. The brain has two halves or hemispheres. Language skills are carried out in the left half of the brain. Damage on that side may lead to language problems. Damage on the right side of the brain may cause other problems, like poor attention or memory issues.
Aphasia may make it hard for someone to understand, speak, read, or write. It does not make them less intelligent or cause problems with the way they think. Brain damage can also cause other problems along with aphasia. People may have muscle weakness in and around the mouth, called dysarthria. They may have trouble getting the muscles of the mouth to move the right way to say words. This is called apraxia. They can also experience associated swallowing problems, which is called dysphagia.
Signs of Aphasia
Aphasia can lead to a number of different problems. Someone may have trouble speaking, reading, and writing. People with aphasia may experience the following:
Comprehension
People with Aphasia may experience the following:
People with Aphasia may experience the following:
Aphasia is most often caused by a stroke (brain bleed) but can occur as a result of any type of brain damage. This includes a traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, and certain types of dementia.
People should see a doctor if they have trouble speaking or understanding what people say. A doctor will determine if there is a medical cause for the problem. A speech-language pathologist, or SLP, will test their speech and language skills. The SLP will test how well someone:
Many people who suffer from aphasia following a brain injury will find it most beneficial to work with a speech/language pathologist. This can be done individually or in a small group. Some people with aphasia find it helpful to join a support group because it is a way of connecting to others who are experiencing the same type of communication challenge.
These tips may make it easier for you to understand and talk with those with aphasia:
Aphasia is a difficult and frustrating disorder for those who have it – it’s also caused by some other medical issue which adds to its complexity. If someone you care about has aphasia, please be patient and kind. It will go a long way in helping them recover.
Other Resources
The information in the above article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.