Sometimes, other parts of the brain take over for the damaged parts. Many people get back some of their skills. But some people have lasting problems.
A speech-language pathologist can help some people relearn lost skills.
It's common to feel sad and hopeless when you have aphasia. It's important to let caregivers know about these feelings. It's also important to get treatment for depression if needed.
Support from family and friends can be helpful. They can help with daily tasks and treatment.
The American Stroke Association may offer local support groups. You can also find resources and information at the National Aphasia Association and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Aphasia (say "a-FAY-zha") is the loss of communication skills. Aphasia may affect how well a person can speak, read, write, and understand language.
Some people may not be able to read, write, or express their thoughts in words. Or they may not understand written or spoken words.
The most common cause of aphasia is a stroke. A stroke can damage the left side of the brain. This is the side of the brain that handles language.
When a person has a problem speaking or writing, it's called nonfluent or expressive aphasia. When a person can't understand written or spoken words, it's called fluent or receptive aphasia.
Here are some ways caregivers can help:
Communication problems can be very frustrating. Be patient, understanding, and supportive. Here are some tips:
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