What is Aphasia?

Ever had that tip-of-the-tongue moment when a word refuses to come out? Imagine that feeling amplified, affecting your ability to communicate daily. That’s one example of what it’s like to have aphasia, a condition not as rare as you might think. More than 100,000 Canadians live with aphasia, and about one-third of stroke survivors experience it, according to Speech-Language & Audiology Canada.

Aphasia typically follows a brain injury, like a stroke, affecting the language centers of the brain. It’s like having all your thoughts intact, but the bridge to expressing them is out of service. People with aphasia might be challenged to speak, understand others, read, or write. Imagine the difficulty, anxiety, and frustration of finding yourself in a foreign country where you can’t understand or speak the language. However, it doesn’t affect a person’s intelligence. When other people think the physical manifestations of aphasia are indicators of a loss of intellect, they invalidate the person’s talents and skills. These wrong ideas stop us from being inclusive and understanding as a society.

The physical challenges are one thing, but the emotional toll can be a whole other ball game. Imagine the frustration of not being able to express “I love you” or share a simple thought. It can lead to feelings of isolation or depression, making emotional support from loved ones crucial.

Understanding the Impact

Difficulty expressing wants and needs can result in a complexity of feelings, including:

• Unease, awkwardness, or discomfort
• Isolation
• Depression

Stroke survivors may face additional hurdles, including mobility issues and cognitive impairments such as memory loss and cognitive processing difficulties.

Other Post-Stroke Communication Challenges

Dysarthria: a condition that causes weakness in the muscles used for speech, making it hard to speak.

Speech Apraxia: a motor-planning disorder affecting the communication between the brain and the muscles used for speech, making it difficult to say words or sentences.

Cognitive-Communication Disorders: conditions affecting memory and thinking processes like attention, concentration and problem solving, understanding facial expressions and body language, and knowing when to take a turn in conversation.

Dysphagia: difficulty chewing or swallowing food or liquid. Signs can include coughing, choking, or an inability to finish a meal.

Hearing Loss: hearing problems can affect the ability to communicate.

How Does ARBI Help?

There’s hope: with speech therapy, many individuals with aphasia can improve their communication skills. At ARBI, therapists use a mix of strategies tailored to each person, focusing on harnessing their remaining strengths to improve their quality of life. As well, education and strategy training for close friends and family members can reduce frustrations and foster meaningful interactions. If you or someone you know is facing this journey, remember it’s about finding new ways to connect and communicate.

Your financial support to ARBI transforms the lives of people challenged by living with aphasia through neurorehabilitation programs, community integration, and family/caregiver support networks.