Aphasia occurs when the brain is damaged from a stroke or other traumatic event. People with aphasia can have trouble communicating. For example, they can have difficulty finding and using the right words. They also can have trouble understanding others when they speak to them. These breakdowns in communication can be very frustrating and isolating for the person with aphasia, and their loved ones. Oftentimes the families, friends, neighbors, and caregivers of people with aphasia want to help, but they don’t even know where to begin.
The first step in supporting communication in individuals with aphasia is to educate yourself. There’s a lot to learn about aphasia, but there are many resources available to help you learn about the causes, symptoms, and prognosis of aphasia. For example, the National Aphasia Association is an organization that provides access to information and resources specifically for people with aphasia.
It’s easier said than done, but when you’re communicating with someone with aphasia try to be patient. Give them time to process your question before asking another one, and give them extra time to respond. It’s common for people with aphasia to have more difficulty finding the words they need to use when they feel anxious or stressed in a speaking situation.
It’s also important to make sure the person with aphasia is working with a speech language pathologist that has experience treating adults with aphasia. These sessions can happen in-person or via telehealth. Whenever possible, ask to be included in the speech therapy sessions so that you can learn strategies for supporting communication alongside your loved one.
For those family members, friends, caregivers and medical professionals who aren’t able to attend speech therapy sessions to learn about supporting individuals with aphasia, the Caregiver Coaching video series from Adult Speech Therapy Services was created just for you.
Our aphasia video courses were designed specifically for caregivers of people with aphasia. The information is presented in a way that’s easy to understand, by a skilled speech therapist with over 20 years of experience working with adults with aphasia. The videos include language samples from real people with aphasia, so you can quickly understand how aphasia impacts language and communication. You’ll also learn many helpful tips for supporting communication in individuals with aphasia, including compensatory strategies, and home practice ideas. Access our Caregiver Coaching videos here, and start your journey toward supporting your loved one with confidence and hope.
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