10 Communication Tips for Aphasia
Do you have a loved one that has suffered a stroke, and you’re finding it difficult to carry on a conversation with them? Do they repeatedly say, “I know what I want to say,” but can’t find the right words? Does it appear that your loved one is having difficulty understanding you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, they might have an acquired language disorder called aphasia. Here’s how you can help them communicate better.
What is Aphasia?
Aphasia is a language disorder typically seen after having a stroke or brain injury. This loss of language isn’t limited to just spoken words but can also impact listening, reading, and writing. Communication is the foundation of being human. When we lose our ability to communicate, it affects our relationships and can lead to social isolation and depression. Because they cannot communicate and express their thoughts and feelings, individuals with aphasia may decide not to go to social events, stop answering the phone, and isolate themselves.
Your loved one with aphasia hasn’t completely lost their ability to communicate. They need support from you and their speech-language pathologist to help regain those language skills to communicate successfully once again.
So how can you make communication with your loved one a little bit easier? Here are my top 10 strategies to support your loved one with aphasia!
1. Use simple sentences and speak slowly.
Instead of saying, “because the pharmacy closed at 7 and I thought it was 8, I wasn’t able to pick up your prescription on time,” say, “ I was not able to pick up your prescription. The pharmacy closed early.” The second is more straightforward than the first because the sentence structure is simplified.
2. Ask one question at a time and use more yes or no questions.
If you notice your loved one has difficulty understanding you when you ask them questions, try asking them more direct yes or no questions. For example, instead of asking an open-ended question, such as “What did you do this morning?” ask, “Did you take a shower? Did you have breakfast yet?” Open-ended questions require more language planning than simply answering yes or no.
3. Offer specific choices during a conversation.
Provide your loved one with choices so they can still successfully make their own decisions and engage in conversation. For example, instead of asking, “What would you like for dinner tonight,” ask, “Would you like chicken or beef? Mashed potatoes or rice?”
4. Be patient and allow extra time for a response.
It’s typical for us to try and fill the silence during a conversation. However, people with aphasia need more time to process what is being said to them and think about what they want to say back. Allowing extra time and taking longer pauses can give your loved one enough time to communicate.
5. Eliminate environmental distractions and talk one-on-one.
If possible, try limiting the amount of distraction and noise around you and your loved one when conversing. For example, if you’re in the family room and the TV is on, the vacuum is going, and the dog is barking, your loved one will find it much more challenging to focus on the conversation you’re having. Try turning off the TV, wait until the vacuuming is done, or move to a quieter room to help your loved one be less distracted.
6. Support the conversation by using pictures, drawing, writing, or pointing.
Communication is not limited to just speaking! If you’re noticing your loved one has difficulty understanding what you’re saying, try writing down keywords, drawing a picture, or pointing to the item to help lend extra meaning to your words. Visa versa, if your loved one is having difficulty with what they’re trying to say, try having them write it down, draw it out, point, or use pictures to help depict their message.
7. Use normal loudness and intonation.
Just because you modify your language with your loved one doesn’t mean you need to modify your voice. Remember, aphasia is a language disorder, so there is no need to change how you speak to your loved ones to understand you better. Unless the person with aphasia has a hearing impairment, you do not need to speak louder for them to understand you. Speak at the volume you typically would during a conversation to avoid seeming patronizing.
8. Stay on one topic at a time and establish the change in a topic before moving on.
In everyday conversation, we tend to jump around from topic to topic. When speaking to someone with aphasia, try and maintain one topic of discussion at a time and make it known when transitioning into the next topic so they have an easier time following along.
9. If they are stuck on a word or idea, ask if they would like help before filling in the word for them.
If your loved one gets stuck on a word that they can’t seem to get out, ask them if they would like help to try and find the word. Never assume what they’re trying to say isn’t significant enough and move on from the conversation without trying to at least help. Instead of speaking for them, you can try using word-finding strategies to help increase their confidence and independence. There are many strategies to help your loved one when they can’t think of a particular word, but a few I find the most helpful are describing the word, using a similar word, thinking of the first letter, and using gestures.
10. Don’t pretend you understand what your loved one is saying if you actually don’t, ask them to rephrase it.
I know sometimes it may be easier to pretend you know what your loved one is saying so you can move on, but what they have to say is important! Ask them to repeat or rephrase themselves until you understand the message they are trying to convey. Ask them to use one of the communication strategies, such as writing it down, drawing a picture, pointing, or using pictures when their spoken language is what’s making it difficult to understand them.
Always remember that aphasia is a loss of language, not intellect! Your loved one is still the same person as before and desires the need and want to communicate successfully. Utilizing these strategies to support your loved one with aphasia can help alleviate frustrations during communication breakdowns for both you and your loved one.
Neuro Speech Solutions is the only speech therapy private practice in Buffalo, NY that specializes in adult neurological rehabilitation. Our specialty is in brain injury, including stroke, TBI, and concussions, as well as neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. All of our SLPs are dedicated to providing evidence-based aphasia therapy and cognitive therapy that will help you target the impairments you may be experiencing in a way that fits with your daily life. If you are searching for an SLP, give us a call and see what makes our clinic different than the rest!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Morgan, MS, CCC-SLP
Sarah is a speech-language pathologist with Neuro Speech Solutions. A native of Syracuse, she moved to Buffalo to specialize in adult neurogenic speech therapy. Sarah enjoys working with clients post-stroke and brain injury to help them communicate their thoughts and feelings and return to doing the things they love.
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