Aphasia
8-minute read
Key facts
- Aphasia is a brain condition that involves having difficulty with language and speech, but it does not affect intelligence.
- Aphasia is caused by damage to the language areas of your brain, most commonly by a stroke.
- It may affect a range of language skills, such as talking, understanding, reading and writing.
- People with aphasia may have trouble with finding words, putting a sentence together and following instructions and conversations.
- A speech pathologist can help people with aphasia improve their language skills and learn new ways to communicate.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a brain condition that affects your language and speech. It happens when there is damage to the parts of your brain that control how you use and understand language.
There are different ways of experiencing aphasia. This depends on which part of your brain is affected.
Types of aphasia include:
- expressive aphasia (also called Broca's aphasia) — where you have trouble communicating what you want to say
- receptive aphasia (also called Wernicke's aphasia) — where you have trouble understanding what others are saying and have trouble making sense when speaking
- anomic aphasia — where you can understand others but you have trouble using the right words when you communicate
- global aphasia — where you have trouble with understanding, reading, speaking and writing
- primary progressive aphasia (PPA) — where language skills get worse as time goes on
Anomic aphasia is usually mild compared to other types of aphasia. Global aphasia is usually the most severe type of aphasia.
What are the symptoms of aphasia?
Aphasia can cause difficulty with:
- talking
- understanding language
- reading
- writing and spelling
You might have difficulty with one or more of these skills. Some people have trouble with almost all language skills.
If talking is difficult, you might:
- not be able to remember a word you want to say
- use the wrong word for something
- say words incorrectly
- leave words out of a sentence
- use incorrect grammar
- feel frustrated that you are not being understood
If you have trouble understanding language, you might:
- take longer to understand what someone is telling you
- find it hard to understand long sentences
- have difficulty following instructions
- stop paying attention when someone is talking to you
- not follow what's going on in a movie or on TV
- feel frustrated that you are unable to understand something
If your child is living with aphasia, they might have trouble with:
- schoolwork
- behaving in class
- communicating with friends
What causes aphasia?
Aphasia is caused by damage to the areas of your brain that control language skills. The way you experience aphasia depends on which area is affected and how much damage there is.
The most common cause of aphasia is stroke.
Other causes include:
- head injuries
- brain tumours
- an infection in the brain
- severe epilepsy
- a neurodegenerative disorder such as Alzheimer's disease
Primary progressive aphasia is caused by a type of dementia.
When should I see my doctor?
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms if you notice that you are having trouble:
- finding words
- reading
- writing
- understanding others around you
Your doctor can refer you to other professionals who can help.
If you suddenly have difficulty talking, you may be having a stroke and should go to the emergency department immediately. Call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is aphasia diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist. The specialist might be able to tell that you have aphasia by talking to you. They will probably test your language skills by asking you to:
- name objects
- repeat a sentence
- read and write
- follow simple instructions
To find out what might be causing your aphasia, you might need a scan of your brain. This might mean having a CT or MRI scan.
You might also need to see a speech pathologist or neuropsychologist. They can do more detailed tests to understand your language and thinking skills. This way, they can diagnose what type of aphasia you have and identify exactly which tasks are difficult for you.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is aphasia treated?
Treatment for aphasia involves working on language skills with a speech pathologist.
They will help you learn how to best use the language skills you still have. They can also help you learn new ways to express yourself. The sooner that aphasia treatment begins, the better it works.
You might find it helpful to use a communication aid. This might include a book or iPad with pictures you can point to.
If your child has aphasia, it can help to have support from a special education teacher.
In some people, their language skills may improve without treatment. For others, they may worsen over time.
Living with aphasia
If you have aphasia, having support to communicate and stay connected socially is vital for your wellbeing. Your friends and loved ones can help.
How should I communicate with someone who has aphasia?
If your friend or loved one is living with aphasia, there are practical ways you can help them communicate.
You can help them understand what you're saying by:
- speaking in short sentences
- making eye contact
- using pictures and hand movements
- repeating important words
- talking about one topic at a time
It's also important to remember that their intelligence has not been affected. You can talk to them in the same tone of voice you would use to speak to anyone else.
You can help them talk to you by:
- being patient and giving them time to express themselves
- offering for them to draw what they mean if they can't think of a word
- checking with them that you've understood them
Aphasia Association of Victoria has helpful tips for communicating with someone who has aphasia.
What are the complications of aphasia?
Living with aphasia can feel very frustrating. It can affect your relationships and quality of life. It may lead to depression or anxiety.
Can aphasia be prevented?
There are things you can do to prevent stroke, which is the most common cause of aphasia. It's important to:
- avoid smoking
- keep your blood pressure and sugar levels under control
- take all your prescribed medicines, especially if you have been told you have a high risk of having a stroke
Resources and support
If you are living with aphasia or caring for someone with aphasia, you can:
- visit the Australian Aphasia Association's website for more information and support
- read the Speech Pathology Australia fact sheet on aphasia
- visit the Brain Foundation website for aphasia information
- visit the Traumatic Brain Injury Australia Connectivity website for information on aphasia
- read the aphasia handbook from the Stroke Foundation
Languages other than English
The Stroke Foundation has resources in languages other than English.
Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
Resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people can also be found on the Stroke Foundation website.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.