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25 Jun

Aphasia and how to live with it.

Illustration of aphasia statistic

Did you know that more than 140,000 Australians live with aphasia?

June is Aphasia Awareness Month!

This month, we look at what aphasia is, what it involves and how to support the 140,000 Australians living with this medical condition.

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak or comprehend what is being said. It often occurs after damage to the brain’s language networks, such as from a stroke or traumatic brain injury. It is important to note that despite people living with aphasia having trouble understanding language, this does not make them any less intelligent than prior to their injury.

Living with aphasia day-to-day after a brain injury

  • It can be hard to follow and interact in and with conversations, especially fast ones, as they can’t always find the right words or have trouble putting sentences together.
  • Complex stories, jokes and sarcasm can be particularly hard to follow, and group situations or noisy environments often make communication much more difficult.
  • Phones, computers, tablets and laptops can become harder to use.
  • Recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI) related to aphasia can happen slowly over time. It is important to be realistic and flexible when going through rehabilitation, some skills may return, while others remain different.

What can help improve aphasia?

  • Seek out speech pathologists who are trained to help people living with aphasia develop communication skills and teach practical strategies.
  • Feel free to use all communication methods: gestures, drawing, writing, photos, or communication books/boards can all count as successful communication.
  • It is okay to ask others to help with communication by slowing down, sharing one idea at a time, and asking for extra time to respond.

Everyday strategies at home and for families

  • Just like in life, be a conversation partner, not a therapist. Let the focus be on connection rather than “fixing” speech, and keep a relaxed, respectful tone.
  • Carers may need to “translate” for others in social spaces at first, gently guiding friends or staff about how best to talk with the person with aphasia.
  • Focus is important, so before speaking, get the person’s attention, face them, make eye contact, and reduce background noise, which could mean turning off the TV, radios or other digital equipment.
  • Use short, clear sentences, one idea at a time, and repeat important words.
  • Speak slowly and clearly, but keep your voice at a normal adult tone. You may need to show children how to do this.
  • Asking yes or no questions can help, particularly if a person is tired.

When we take the time to slow down, adapt how we communicate and include people in conversations and decisions, we help rebuild confidence, connection and independence after brain injury.