Aphasia or Dysphasia
The brain is divided into two the right and left hemispheres. Each side controls different body functions. In most people, the left side of the brain controls language skills. Aphasia is damage to the language area from a stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or brain tumour. Aphasia can affect all forms of communication, speaking, understanding, reading and writing.
Not all language areas may be affected the same way. For example, one person with aphasia may find it easier to read than talk, while another may find it easier to write than read. Aphasia can be temporary or permanent.
Types of Aphasia
Some more common types of aphasia are:
Broca's aphasia
In Broca's aphasia, also known as non-fluent or expressive aphasia, a person has great difficulty speaking and can only manage to string a small number of words together in short, halting sentences. However, it is usually possible to understand the meaning of their speech. For example, a person with Broca's aphasia might say, "Want...coffee... no...milk".
Wernicke's aphasia
In Wernicke's aphasia, also known as fluent aphasia, a person is able to speak normally and use long, complex sentences, but the actual words they use do not make sense, or they include nonsense words in their speech.
Many people with Wernicke's aphasia are often unaware their spoken language makes no sense to others and can become angry or frustrated by the lack of understanding shown by others.
Global aphasia
Global aphasia is a severe form of aphasia. Someone with the condition has difficulty with all forms of communication, including speaking, reading, writing, correctly naming objects or people, and understanding other people’s speech.
Aphasia in Alzheimer's disease
People with Alzheimer's disease usually have trouble thinking of the right word, or remembering people's names. This is called anomia or anomic aphasia. As the condition gets worse, people may have difficulty putting a sentence together and making themselves understood. People usually develop problems with memory and understanding at the same time, which can also make communication more difficult.
Primary progressive aphasia
Sometimes a progressive brain disease causes aphasia but doesn't affect memory or other thought processes for a long time, possibly for several years. This is called primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
Other Speech Pattern Problems
Word or Sound Changes
There may be sound or word changes that:
Have no meaning (“lat” instead of “bat”)
Change the meaning (“mate” instead of “date”) – phonemic error or phonemic paraphasia
Are unrelated to the word intended (“table” instead of “map”)
Are closely related to the word intended (“Solihull” instead of “Birmingham”) – semantic error or semantic paraphasia.
Repetition
This refers to repeated words, phrases, sentences or ideas. The person may
Find it difficult moving from one idea to the next. For example, when asked
the question “Where do you live?” the person may answer “Birmingham” and then continue to answer “Birmingham” for subsequent replies. This is known as perseveration.
Word finding difficulties
A person may have problems naming common objects. The person usually knows what the object is and how it is used, but is unable to say the name of it.
Echoing
The person may repeat or “echo” word-for-word what someone has said. It is called “echolalia”.
Specialist Speech Therapy is a speech therapy practice which specialises in the assessment and treatment of people with aphasia/dysphasia. Contact us today for a free, no obligation discussion of your needs or to arrange an appointment in Birmingham, Solihull and the West Midlands.
The brain is divided into two the right and left hemispheres. Each side controls different body functions. In most people, the left side of the brain controls language skills. Aphasia is damage to the language area from a stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) or brain tumour. Aphasia can affect all forms of communication, speaking, understanding, reading and writing.
Not all language areas may be affected the same way. For example, one person with aphasia may find it easier to read than talk, while another may find it easier to write than read. Aphasia can be temporary or permanent.
Types of Aphasia
Some more common types of aphasia are:
- Broca's aphasia
- Wernicke's aphasia
- global aphasia
- aphasia in Alzheimer's disease
- primary progressive aphasia (PPA)
Broca's aphasia
In Broca's aphasia, also known as non-fluent or expressive aphasia, a person has great difficulty speaking and can only manage to string a small number of words together in short, halting sentences. However, it is usually possible to understand the meaning of their speech. For example, a person with Broca's aphasia might say, "Want...coffee... no...milk".
Wernicke's aphasia
In Wernicke's aphasia, also known as fluent aphasia, a person is able to speak normally and use long, complex sentences, but the actual words they use do not make sense, or they include nonsense words in their speech.
Many people with Wernicke's aphasia are often unaware their spoken language makes no sense to others and can become angry or frustrated by the lack of understanding shown by others.
Global aphasia
Global aphasia is a severe form of aphasia. Someone with the condition has difficulty with all forms of communication, including speaking, reading, writing, correctly naming objects or people, and understanding other people’s speech.
Aphasia in Alzheimer's disease
People with Alzheimer's disease usually have trouble thinking of the right word, or remembering people's names. This is called anomia or anomic aphasia. As the condition gets worse, people may have difficulty putting a sentence together and making themselves understood. People usually develop problems with memory and understanding at the same time, which can also make communication more difficult.
Primary progressive aphasia
Sometimes a progressive brain disease causes aphasia but doesn't affect memory or other thought processes for a long time, possibly for several years. This is called primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
Other Speech Pattern Problems
Word or Sound Changes
There may be sound or word changes that:
Have no meaning (“lat” instead of “bat”)
Change the meaning (“mate” instead of “date”) – phonemic error or phonemic paraphasia
Are unrelated to the word intended (“table” instead of “map”)
Are closely related to the word intended (“Solihull” instead of “Birmingham”) – semantic error or semantic paraphasia.
Repetition
This refers to repeated words, phrases, sentences or ideas. The person may
Find it difficult moving from one idea to the next. For example, when asked
the question “Where do you live?” the person may answer “Birmingham” and then continue to answer “Birmingham” for subsequent replies. This is known as perseveration.
Word finding difficulties
A person may have problems naming common objects. The person usually knows what the object is and how it is used, but is unable to say the name of it.
Echoing
The person may repeat or “echo” word-for-word what someone has said. It is called “echolalia”.
Specialist Speech Therapy is a speech therapy practice which specialises in the assessment and treatment of people with aphasia/dysphasia. Contact us today for a free, no obligation discussion of your needs or to arrange an appointment in Birmingham, Solihull and the West Midlands.