What is Aphasia

Experiencing a  stroke can result in many different kinds of cognitive conditions. The most well-known condition resulting from a stroke is called aphasia. Aphasia is the loss of language. Aphasia is a condition that can cause someone to not be able to communicate or comprehend language. In this blog post, we are going to explore the main types of aphasia.

Broca’s Aphasia (Non-Fluent Aphasia)

A condition in which a patient comprehends language but cannot produce speech. Patients with expressive aphasia often have difficulty articulating words they want to say, have trouble writing sentences, and will sometimes have difficulty comprehending full sentences. Broca’s aphasia typically occurs when someone has damage to the left frontal or temporal lobe. 

Mixed Non-Fluent Aphasia

A person may have sparse and effortful speech. This type of aphasia may look like Broca’s aphasia, but it isn’t.  Unlike a person with Broca, mixed-nonfluent aphasia patients remain limited in their comprehension of speech. People with mixed non-fluent aphasia may only reach an elementary reading and writing level.

Wernicke’s Aphasia (Fluent Aphasia)

This condition people have difficulty understanding language. While the ability to speak is preserved, people with Wernicke’s aphasia can speak full sentences, but they do not make sense. A person with Wernicke’s aphasia knows what they would like to say, but they may use the wrong word or sound instead. This kind of aphasia occurs when someone has damage to the left parietal or temporal lobe.

Anomic Aphasia

 This type of aphasia is applied to people who are left with a persistent inability to use the nouns and verbs for the items they are referring to. They have the ability to comprehend speech, and in many cases read adequately, but people with anomic aphasia just have a hard time using nouns and verbs. 

Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)

Although this not stroke-related it is important to know. Primary Progressive Aphasia is a neurological syndrome in which language abilities become slow and progressively impaired. This is often not caused by a stroke, but by other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

Conclusion

A majority of people with aphasia have had a stroke. But not everyone with aphasia has the same type. There are many different types of aphasia that can affect a stroke patient. It is always recommended that people that have aphasia may work with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) individually or in a group to rehabilitate language skills. Sometimes, people with aphasia may attend an aphasia support group in person or through telepractice methods. Aphasia is a cognitive condition that affects language. The best type of therapist that works with aphasia is an SLP. SLPs can provide a cognitive rehabilitation program that can help their clients with aphasia improve their language skills. 

 

Within our software, we offer language-based exercises for therapist to use in-practice and at home. Check out how HappyNeuron Pro can help your patient with aphasia rebuild or strengthen their language skills.

Dustin Luchmee

Dustin was HappyNeuron's Product Specialist. With research experience in stroke, Dustin learned how a stroke can change someone's life. He also learned how different kinds of therapists can work together to help a person get better. He is passionate about neuro-rehabilitation and finding the active ingredients for effective therapy.

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