Living with Aphasia
Living with Aphasia
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What We Have Known about Recovery
What We Have Known about Recovery
Language/cognitive behavior changes ultimately stem from changing the brain.
Spontaneous recovery happens in 0-3 months, and drops significantly by 6 months.
Improvement may slow down after 6 months, but there is NO definitive end. Recovery is a life-long process.
The brain has the ability to change continuously throughout an individual's life, even through adulthood.
Neuroplasticity can be seen as the process of rebuilding the bridge between disconnected neurons and rehabilitation as a driving force in this process for providing the right input at the right time with the right amount of intensity to make these new connections.
Recovery Approaches You Will Use
Recovery Approaches You Will Use
- Restoration of Lost Function
This approach aims to restore altered cognitive functions by stimulation, in terms of language, it aims to improve language abilities that are damaged. It involves the repetition of specific tasks.
- Compensation of Lost Function
This approach works by finding ways and alternative strategies to supply cognitive and language weaknesses or using an assistive device to assist communication.
- Residual Function Optimization
Recognizing the preserved cognitive functions and language skills, training and optimizing the preserved skills, and further ensuring the correct functioning of the altered ones.
What to Do to Improve Communication
What to Do to Improve Communication
- Speech Therapy
The speech-language pathologist will identify your specific language strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan to help you regain communication skills.
- Conversational Group Therapy
Participating in conversation group therapy allows you to engage in natural, authentic conversation, be supported by the clinician and group members, and improve functional communication and quality of life.
- Control Your Environment
Modifying the environment around you. Make the communication environment comfortable for you. A relaxed, less distracting environment will benefit you when you communicate with others.
- Use Multiple Means to Communicate
Language is a form of communication. Not all communication is through language. Use facial expressions, body language, signs, gestures, pictures, drawing, writing, apps, or communication devices to assist your communication.
What to do as a Communication Partner
What to do as a Communication Partner
Use FOCUSED principles when you are speaking to people with aphasia.
Use FOCUSED principles when you are speaking to people with aphasia.
F: Face the people you are talking with, maintain eye contact, attract their attention, and have your attention on them.
O: Orient to the shared topic by repeating words and sentences clearly. Allow them time to process but not intentionally to speak more slowly.
C: Continue the same conversational topic for as long as possible and introduce changes in the topic.
U: Unstick the communication blocks by suggesting the correct words or sentences.
S: Structure questions with fewer, easier options (e.g., yes/no ) to encourage positive conversation engagement.
E: Exchange conversations with pleasant daily topics, encourage interaction by asking easy questions, and provide cues when needed
D: Use short, simple, direct questions. Use facial expressions and/or pictures to reinforce meaning.
What to Do as a Caregiver
What to Do as a Caregiver
A caregiver's guide by the National Aphasia Association >>
Complete-Caregiver-Guide_Updated_1_24_2020.pdf
Life is Larger than Aphasia
Life is Larger than Aphasia
Care your feelings
Find your way at your own pace
Participate in life situations and stay connected
Envolve in social activities
Regain identity
Tips for Staying Connected
Tips for Staying Connected
Focus on one task at a time.
Write things down before saying them. Keep a pencil and paper handy.
Using flashcards with keywords.
Using pointing or gestures.
Take your time speaking.
Practice conversations first in a quiet environment.
If someone speaks too fast, ask or gesture for them to slow down.
Acknowledge to a new person that "I am a survivor of stroke, please be patient."
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