Aphasia FAQs for the Rehabilitation Professional

Aphasia is a communication impairment that results from injury or damage to the left side of brain. It may occur after stroke, brain injury, other neurologic condition. refers loss language abilities. can result in difficulty speaking, listening, reading, writing. Many individuals also have repeating things spoken them, although some people with aphasia completely mimic utterances, leading those around them assume greater abilities than they have. The consequences be debilitating for individual’s and ability participate enjoy life events (quality life). Stroke most common cause aphasia, about one-third stroke patients presenting aphasia.1Dickey L. Kagan A. Lindsay M.P. Fang J. Rowland Black S. Incidence profile inpatient induced Ontario, Canada.Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010; 91: 196-202Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (175) Google Scholar, 2Ellis C. Dismuke Edwards K.K. Longitudinal trends United States.NeuroRehabilitation. 27: 327-333Crossref (16) 3Flowers H.L. Skoretz S.A. Silver F.L. et al.Poststroke frequency, recovery, outcomes: systematic review meta-analysis.Arch 2016; 97: 2188-2201Abstract (107) 4Pedersen P.M. Jorgensen H.S. Nakayama H. Raaschou H.O. Olsen T.S. acute stroke: incidence, determinants, recovery.Ann Neurol. 1995; 38: 659-666Crossref (544) Scholar Approximately 17 million worldwide experience first annually; therefore, number sizeable. In fact, prevalence States has been estimated exceed 2 people.5Simmons-Mackie N. North America.2018Google This likely increase because incidence rises due aging population increasing rates risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, physical inactivity. Advances treatment improved survival, an increased survivors aphasia. People feel alone socially isolated. makes it more difficult communicate friends family, which hurts one’s sense well-being. Disability ratings are higher without aphasia.3Flowers These negative effects affect all areas life. challenges causes negatively impact self-esteem, self-identity, personal competence.5Simmons-Mackie Even when presence others, connecting people, so still alone. addition, degrees anxiety poststroke. Although depression high, even (60%-70%).6Morris R. Eccles Ryan B. Kneebone II, Prevalence stroke.Aphasiology. 2017; 31: 1410-1415Crossref (20) their difficulties make harder access mental health care. Because communication, changes relations. Social networks shrink, close relations maintain. time taking part leisure activities used enjoy, especially who do not understand what means aphasia.7Worrall L.E. Hudson K. Khan Simmons-Mackie (2017). Determinants living well year poststroke: prospective cohort study.Arch 98: 235-240Abstract (26) returning work Those return often lower paying jobs had before stroke.8Graham J.R. Pereira Teasell younger survivors.Aphasiology. 2011; 25: 952-960Crossref (27) effect just on survivor, but caregivers family members. Communication challenges, finances, social support systems strain these As result, members prone isolated.7Worrall There many types depending cerebral hemisphere affected.9Raymer A.M. Rothi L.J. syndromes: introduction value clinical practice.in: Raymer R.M. L.J.G. Oxford handbook disorders. University Press, New York2018: 3-9Google Speech-language pathologists diagnose based assessment tests fluency verbal expression, auditory comprehension, repetition. Generally, classified fluent nonfluent further broken down into specific within categories shown table 1.Table 1Patterns aphasiaSyndromeFluencyAuditory CompRepetitionBroca’s aphasiaNonfluentRelatively intactImpairedWernicke’s aphasiaFluentImpairedImpairedConduction aphasiaFluentRelatively intactImpairedGlobal aphasiaNonfluentImpairedImpairedTranscortical sensory aphasiaFluentImpairedIntactTranscortical motor intactIntactMixed transcortical aphasiaNonfluentImpairedIntact Open new tab A person produces utterances shorter length frequently lacking grammatical words (eg, is, the, should). longer incoherent frequent word sound errors papsel apple). suddenly develop poststroke, primary progressive (PPA). PPA form caused by degenerative disease always should confused speech impairments nervous system, apraxia dysarthria. sometimes accompany programming execution articulatory movements, system grammar.9Raymer When try speak, sentences. anomia, finding words, paraphasias. mistakes related same category (orange apple), mispronounced (apsel neologisms resemble familiar (clospow They use circumlocution describe unable produce (that thing grows tree At times display agrammatism simplifying sentences omitting grammar before) endings past tense—ed). Finally, perseverate, repeat phrase produced earlier though current intended response (9). speech-language pathologist (SLP), logopedist, certified rehabilitation professional trained evaluate treat persons SLPs provide facilitates recovery functioning participation activities. train compensatory strategies educate how supportive partner. resources training alternative modalities (writing, gestures, drawing) technology available augmentative communication. settings, require order patient’s physician evaluation treatment. team closely members, occupational therapy, target goals page was developed Michelle Armour, M.S., CCC-SLP; Leora Cherney, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, FACRM; Christina M. del Toro, Lynn Maher, Ph.D. Anastasia Raymer, CCC-SLP behalf Disorders Task Force, Interdisciplinary Interest Group American Congress Rehabilitation Medicine collaboration Access.