How to help a friend with aphasia

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By Amy Kuncaitis
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Aphasia, is a loss of the ability to produce and/or comprehend language, due to injury to brain areas specialized for these functions, Broca's area, which governs language production, or Wernicke's area, which governs the interpretation of language. It is not a result of deficits in sensory, intellect, or psychiatric functioning, nor due to muscle weakness or a cognitive disorder.

Depending on the area and extent of the damage, someone suffering from aphasia may be able to speak but not write, or vice versa, or display any of a wide variety of other deficiencies in language comprehension and production, such as being able to sing but not speak. Aphasia may co-occur with speech disorders such as dysarthria or apraxia of speech, which also result from brain damage

Aphasia can come in many different forms. Aphasia may occur in persons of any age, sex, race, or nationality. Vocation and education are not determining factors.

Here are some practical tips to help you communicate with someone who love who may be experiencing expressive aphasia or any other form.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

to be educacted about the basics of Aphasia
understanding of the person who is experiencing the aphasia
a kind, open heart
compassion

Step 1

First, when talking to your loved one, make sure to address their needs. Ask them if noise bothers them, lights ect...if they are unable to talk, look at their eyes and body movements to see if they are understanding.
Step 2

Next, share with your loved one if you are anxious about seeing them or talking to them. If they are able to comprehend their brain injury, they will understand your reservations and, it is always best to be up front and honest about those fears and feelings.
Step 3

It is also important that you not talk down to them. Often times with aphasia, the person's limitations are limited. Sometimes they can comprehend fully what is happening, they just can not communicate back to you. It is important you do not correct them for using the incorrect word and give them plenty of time to finish what they are saying.
Step 4

along those same lines, no matter how much you want to, do not finish their sentences for them. It may take them more time to come up with the right words to say, but give them the time to finish their thought.
Step 5

Keep the same relationship you had with your loved one before. Sure, there will be some changes because of the aphasia but if you used to always joke with your loved one, continue to joke. If you always talked about golf, talk about golf.
Step 6

Always acknowledge what your loved one is going through and let them know you are always there for them but don't spend all your time together focused on the aphasia. Let them know you still love them and value them as a person.