Aphasia is a partial or total loss of one's ability to communicate. The disorder impairs oral and written expression as well as comprehension. Aphasia is a language disorder (affects the choice of words, fluidity and continuity of sentences, etc.) that may co-occur with a speech disorder (pronunciation, articulation, etc.). It is not a mental illness but rather a disorder that results from damage to certain portions of the brain. The various types of aphasia are generally caused by damage sustained to Broca's area or Wernicke's area, which are responsible for language and comprehension respectively.
Lesions on either of these areas of the brain can cause aphasia. These lesions are the result of:
There are 5 main types of aphasia, all of which are distinguished by communication disorders. They are Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia, conduction, mixed and global aphasia. The intensity and type of symptoms vary depending on the type of aphasia.
Symptoms | Types of aphasia | ||||
Broca's aphasia | Wernicke's aphasia | Conduction aphasia | Mixed aphasia | Global aphasia | |
![]() | |||||
Jargon | + | + | |||
Missing words | + | + | |||
Paraphrasia | + | + | |||
Comprehension problems | ++ | + | ++ | ||
Reduction of speech | ++ | + | + | ++ | |
Arthric disorder | + |
Aphasia is diagnosed by a speech-language therapist who will begin by listing the sufferer's symptoms. A general practitioner or a neurologist can also make the diagnosis based on the observed symptoms. Aphasia-related symptoms can be the result of other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, for example. The physician will therefore evaluate the patient's general state of health.
Treating aphasia is a process that is slow and gradual. Treatment is carried out by a speech-language therapist who will recommend language and comprehension re-education techniques. The speech-language pathologist will also teach the patient the meaning of words, develop speech and will assign reading and writing exercises.
He will also help the family understand the disorder and promote healthy communication between group members. Below are a few practical tips to help develop clearer and more coherent communication.
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