UNDERSTANDING APHASIA
We take a look at this common but little-known condition
When Hollywood star Bruce Willis announced he’d been diagnosed with aphasia, it shone a spotlight on a condition that affects more than 17,000 New Zealanders.
While aphasia is common, most people know very little about it. Here, three leading speech pathologists with expertise working with aphasia answer our questions...
WHAT IS APHASIA?
“Aphasia is a common communication disability caused by damage or changes to the part of the brain responsible for language,” says speech pathologist Dr Caroline Baker. “It is most often caused by stroke, but sometimes the cause can be a brain tumour, a traumatic brain injury or types of dementia. It can affect anyone from the very young to the elderly.”
Her fellow researcher Dr Abby Foster continues, “Aphasia can make it hard to talk, understand others, read, write or use numbers.”
HOW DOES IT AFFECT PEOPLE?
“Aphasia is a very frustrating condition,” explains Professor Deborah Hersh, chairperson of the Australian Aphasia Association. “It makes conversations difficult, not just for getting a message back and forth, but for the flow of social chat with families and friends.”
Some people may struggle to get words out and speak in short sentences. Others may speak fluently, but they may make mistakes or their words may not always make sense. Aphasia does not affect a person’s intelligence. People with aphasia know what they want to say and are capable of making decisions for themselves. “People describe the words being on the tip of their tongue but just out of reach,” Professor Hersh explains.
WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS?
The prognosis often depends on the kind of aphasia a person has. “After a stroke or brain injury, aphasia usually improves, especially where there is access to speech pathology,” says Professor Hersh. “There are many treatments available, which are based on good evidence.
“These include direct language work and practice, finding different ways to get messages over, working with families and friends, group therapy, and practising within social opportunities. For people with primary progressive aphasia, therapy can help to maintain skills and give people strategies. However, the condition is likely to continue to decline over time.”
WHAT IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS?
“Anyone who notices any sudden or gradual changes in communication should seek medical help from your GP or the local emergency department,” advises Dr Foster. “If the change is sudden and comes with a facial droop, difficulty using your arms or confusion, treat it as a medical emergency and call 111. It may be the sign of a stroke. Time is critical.”
HOW CAN I HELP?
“You can help people with aphasia by being aware of aphasia,” says Dr Baker. “Use a normal tone and volume of voice, but be patient and allow time to communicate. Follow the person’s lead in communication – watch how they communicate and ask them what works for them. They may use shorter messages, pictures, written words or gestures like pointing to help share messages.”
WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
“There is a lot of support available through speech pathology services, local aphasia groups and organisations,” says Professor Hersh.
For more information, contact the Aphasia New Zealand Charitable Trust on 0508 APHASIA or visit aphasia.org.nz.