Communication problems following stroke: Aphasia
What is Aphasia?
Aphasia (pronounced “ay-fay-zee-ah”) is a communication impairment. It affects the ability to use and
understand spoken and written language. The terms aphasia and dysphasia mean the same thing. Aphasia is common
after stroke, brain injury and some brain illnesses.
How does Aphasia affect people?
Each person with aphasia has their own unique pattern. Some people will improve quickly and others will go on to
make improvements over many months. Changes with communication can be life-long. Almost 50% of people with aphasia continue
to have aphasia 18 months after it starts.
Speaking, listening, reading and writing are a big part of everyday life. Many daily activities can be affected. Aphasia
can mean that people face many changes.
Communication Skills
Speech and Language Therapy can:
- Work to improve understanding, speaking, reading or writing
- Give ideas about ways to change conversations to help people join in
- Help you to explain aphasia
- Introduce you to communication practice groups
Support
Speech and Language Therapy can:
- Assist with communication with professionals and service providers, for example, doctors, solicitors, care-managers
- Introduce you to other people living with aphasia
- Explore your feelings about communication
- Suggest self-help groups
Information
Speech and Language Therapy can give you information about:
- Aphasia
- What our assessments show
- How aphasia can affect your life
- Brain injury and conditions that can occur with aphasia.
Further information about aphasia and other communication problems following stroke can be found in the CHSS leaflet "Helping communication after a stroke".
You can also visit the UK Connect website which gives information about living with aphasia.
The information on this page has been developed by the NHS Tayside Aphasia Clinical Network.
Last updated: 31/10/2007
