What is aphasia?

• Aphasia is difficulty with using and understanding words.
• Aphasia happens after damage to the brain for example, from a stroke or brain injury.
• This usually occurs in the left side of your brain where words are processed.
• It can affect your talking, understanding, reading, numbers, writing.
• It may be mild or severe.
• It does not affect your intelligence and memory.
• The speech and language therapist will help you to communicate.

It is important to remember the person with aphasia remains an intelligent adult. They may have difficulty understanding and/or using language, as well as reading and writing. The following general guidelines will help the person with aphasia to communicate.

How to help a person with aphasia

Help them to understand by:

• speaking slowly and clearly at a normal volume. Do not use childish intonation
• allowing plenty of time to understand what is being said to them. Do not rush them
• using familiar words in short sentences
• saying it again using slightly different words or phrases, if you are not understood the first time
• using gestures to support what you say. Keep them simple and don’t make them too exaggerated
• using other strategies such as writing, drawing or using things such as photos, maps or leaflets
• introducing a new topic slowly and clearly
• reducing outside distractions, including turning off the television/radio or going to a quiet room
• never underestimating what the person understands but recognising there may be difficulties.

Help them to communicate by:

• encouraging the person to use any means of communicating they can, for example writing, drawing, gesturing and pointing
• not pretending to understand when you do not. Indicate that you are not sure what they mean and encourage them to try again using other methods
• being prepared to help them to find words
• allowing the conversation to continue if you have understood, rather than correcting every error
• asking the person if it is okay to move on and come back to the topic later, if they are becoming frustrated. It is very important that you do remember to return to the subject later.

General tips

• Do not ask other people questions that the person can answer themselves.
• Allow plenty of time to discuss issues, problems or concerns the person may be having.
• Allow the person to show you what helps them.