Communication Tips for People With Aphasia
For more than 30 years, I have helped individuals with aphasia, along with their families and caregivers, understand and cope with this complex and frustrating disorder of communication.
Aphasia is a loss of language due to brain damage and can cause a variety of communication problems, ranging from mild to severe issues with word-finding, sentence formulation, reading, writing/spelling, and/or comprehension of speech.
A common analogy is that having aphasia is similar to being in a foreign country and not knowing the language very well, or in some cases, not at all.
I experienced a similar situation when I traveled to Mexico with only two years of high school Spanish in my brain and my Spanish dictionary left on the bookshelf at home.
Here are some lessons I learned that can help you if you have aphasia and are looking for ways to communicate more effectively.
Don’t Fake It
Pretending to understand more than you actually do can make things worse. When I did this, the person I was communicating with would speak faster and use longer sentences, which left me lost.
Instead, acknowledge your language difficulties. Let others know you have aphasia and need them to speak slowly and use simpler sentences. You might even carry a card describing your communication impairment to help others understand.
Ask People to Slow Down
Fast speech is challenging to understand when vocabulary is unfamiliar. In Mexico, I learned to ask people to speak slowly. Don’t be self-conscious about asking others to slow down or repeat what they said. Use phrases like “slowly, please” to help manage the pace of the conversation.
Use Substitute Words
If you can’t think of a word, try using another similar word or a description. For example, if you can’t remember the word “car,” you might say “the thing you drive.”
If you don’t understand a word someone is using, ask them to use a different word or explain it in another way. This strategy can make communication smoother and reduce frustration.
Use Gestures
Gestures were invaluable in Mexico when words failed me. Similarly, gestures can greatly aid your communication if you have aphasia. Use hand movements, facial expressions, and body language to convey your message.
For example, miming actions or pointing can help others understand what you’re trying to say. Encourage your communication partners to use gestures as well to help you understand them.
Use Pictures
When I couldn’t find the right words, drawing simple pictures helped convey my message. This approach can be very effective for you as well. Use pictures, either drawn or pre-printed, to express your needs and wants.
Pair pictures with printed words to reinforce your vocabulary learning. For example, you might use a picture of a bathroom sign to indicate you need to find a restroom.
Use Communication Aids
My forgotten Spanish dictionary would have been a great help. Consider using communication aids such as notebooks or electronic devices with words or pictures for basic needs, names, frequently used phrases, and emergency information.
These aids can help you express yourself more easily and ensure you have the tools you need to communicate in various situations.
It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect
Successful communication, not linguistic perfection, was my goal in Mexico. This principle is crucial for you as well. Focus on getting your message across rather than perfect grammar or word choice.
Any form of successful communication, whether through words, gestures, or pictures, is gratifying. Don’t be embarrassed or self-conscious about your language difficulties. Remember, the goal is mutual understanding, not perfect speech.
Although I have worked with people with aphasia for many years, my experience in Mexico gave me a new perspective on language impairments. Communicating effectively when you have aphasia requires patience, creativity, and persistence.
With these tips, you can improve your communication skills and make your interactions more effective and less frustrating. Now, with a greater appreciation of these challenges, I’m ready to take on a new linguistic adventure: France.
Author: Barbara Van Dyne
Barbara Van Dyne, M.A., speech-language pathologist has worked for decades in a variety of rehabilitation settings, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, home health, private practice and skilled nursing facilities. She holds a Master's Degree from The University of Kansas in Speech and Language Pathology. She is the author of Memory Chit Chat, a clinical manual with exercises that leverage social themes for therapeutic purposes offers meaningful engagement, repetition, familiarity, personal relevance, and a connection to seasonal and cultural events She has taught memory improvement classes and served on the advisory board of the Stroke Support Group of Northern California. Prior to her retirement she was certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and licensed as a speech pathologist in the state of California.
Barbara Van Dyne, M.A., speech-language pathologist has worked for decades in a variety of rehabilitation settings, including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, home health, private practice and skilled nursing facilities.
She holds a Master's Degree from The University of Kansas in Speech and Language Pathology.
She is the author of Memory Chit Chat, a clinical manual with exercises that leverage social themes for therapeutic purposes offers meaningful engagement, repetition, familiarity, personal relevance, and a connection to seasonal and cultural events
She has taught memory improvement classes and served on the advisory board of the Stroke Support Group of Northern California. Prior to her retirement she was certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association and licensed as a speech pathologist in the state of California.
