What Is Aphasia, and How Is Speech Therapy Useful?
Are you struggling to communicate from an underlying condition? Is it difficult to express yourself or understand what others are saying? If you identify with these statements, you may have a condition known as aphasia.
Aphasia is a brain disorder that causes a person to have trouble speaking or understanding others. This typically occurs with damage or disruptions in brain parts that control communication. Many people feel as if aphasia isn’t treatable. However, speech therapy can help patients fully overcome aphasia and effectively manage symptoms so they can communicate effectively.
Our speech therapists at Integrity Rehab can help you gain confidence through your communication skills and motor functions. If you’ve been struggling to speak and understand others properly, it’s time to contact our clinic today!
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a condition that occurs when there has been damage to the area of your brain that controls spoken language. There are multiple types of aphasia, such as Broca’s, Wernicke’s, and Anomic aphasia. While aphasia can happen to patients of all ages, it is more common in mature adults.
This condition is almost always a symptom of an underlying condition, such as a stroke or traumatic brain injury. It rarely poses permanent side effects and can usually be treatable, especially when the underlying condition can heal on its own.
What causes aphasia?
Aphasia can occur with any condition that damages the brain and can also cause problems that disrupt your brain’s functions. Common causes of aphasia include:
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Aneurysms.
- Brain surgery.
- Brain tumors.
- Concussion and traumatic brain injury.
- Dementia.
- Epilepsy or seizures.
- Certain genetic disorders.
- Migraine disorders.
- Radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Strokes.
Diagnosing aphasia typically involves a physical exam, assessment of medical history, diagnostic imaging, and other tests. Sometimes, running several tests may be necessary to help rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to aphasia. Diagnostic tests may include:
- Sensory and nerve function tests, which look at possible hearing problems and nerve damage.
- Cognitive and memory tests to ensure aphasia isn’t related to your thinking ability or memory.
- Diagnostic and imaging tests, which assess lesions or signs of damage to the relevant part of the brain.
A speech-language therapist will be able to help determine which type of aphasia you have and the best ways to treat it.
How does a speech therapist treat aphasia?
Speech and language therapy for aphasia aims to:
- Restore as much of your speech and language functions as possible
- Help you communicate to the best of your ability
- Find alternative ways of communicating if necessary
Some patients may require a more intensive course of speech and language therapy, which involves a number of sessions provided in a shorter period of time. For others, shorter and less interactive sessions may be recommended. Therapy is sometimes held in groups or may involve technology such as apps and computer programs.
Speech and language therapy techniques
Our speech therapists at Integrity Rehab offer several techniques that help patients with aphasia. They may use either impairment-based or communicated-based strategies.
Impairment-based therapy
Impairment-based therapies work to improve language functions. This may involve stimulating speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
The techniques in this language therapy will promote both speech and comprehension. Our therapists will focus on the fundamental ways we use language and on exercising how our mouths produce sounds and words.
Communication-based Speech Therapy for Aphasia
Communication-based speech therapy is designed to enable communication by assisting patients with learning how to convey feelings and messages in new ways. This type of therapy typically involves more natural interactions and real-life challenges to communication. Communication-based therapy is sometimes referred to as “social approaches” because of its emphasis on returning to day-to-day interactions.
The specific techniques used during treatment will depend on each person’s circumstances. If you have difficulty with both communicating and understanding words, your SLT may incorporate tasks such as matching words to pictures or identifying the meaning behind different phrases.
If you struggle to express yourself, your SLT may ask you to repeat words and phrases and practice rhyming and naming pictures. As treatment advances, you may start to construct complete sentences and carry out conversations.
Ready to find relief from aphasia?
Communication plays a significant role in our relationships, professional life, and even daily tasks. The good news about aphasia is that it can be treated by one of our licensed speech therapists. Our innovative care plans allow you to manage symptoms and restore communication skills, so you can achieve a better quality of life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with aphasia or are wondering if speech therapy is right for you, call our team at Integrity Rehab today!