Aphasia
What Is Aphasia?
Aphasia is a language difficulty caused by damage to the parts of the brain that handle language. It can affect speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Stroke is the most common cause, but aphasia can also follow a brain injury, brain tumour, or infection. In some cases, it develops gradually over time, which is called primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
Aphasia looks different from person to person. Some people have trouble getting words out, while others speak easily but have difficulty understanding or making sense. Many people have a mix of both.
Communication After a Stroke
Aphasia is one of the most common communication changes after a stroke, but it is not the only one. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, a person may also have:
- Dysarthria: slurred or unclear speech caused by weakness in the muscles used for speaking
- Apraxia of speech: difficulty planning the mouth movements needed to say words
- Cognitive-communication changes: difficulty with attention, memory, or organizing thoughts during conversation
Stroke recovery looks different for everyone. Some people start speech therapy in hospital or rehab and want to keep going once they are home. Others look for support months or years later. We can help at either stage, with goals based on what you want to get back to in daily life. Learn more about our speech therapy after stroke and neurological changes.
Common Signs
- Trouble finding the right word, or saying a related word instead (for example, “table” for “chair”)
- Speaking in short or incomplete sentences
- Using made-up words or mixing up sounds in words
- Difficulty following conversations, especially in groups or noisy places
- Trouble understanding longer or more complex sentences
- Difficulty reading, writing, or using numbers
- Feeling frustrated or tired during conversations
How Aphasia Is Assessed
A speech-language pathologist looks at how a person understands and uses language across speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We also talk about daily life: the conversations, activities, and roles that matter most to you, whether that is chatting with family, managing appointments, or returning to work.
How Speech Therapy Helps
Therapy focuses on the communication that matters in your daily life. Depending on your goals, support may include:
- Practicing word-finding and naming strategies
- Working on understanding spoken and written language
- Building sentences to express ideas more fully
- Using supports like gestures, writing, pictures, or communication apps
- Practicing real conversations and everyday tasks
- Coaching family members on ways to support communication at home
Therapy is available online across BC and in person in White Rock, Surrey, Langley, and Delta.
Tips for Family and Friends
- Speak in short, clear sentences and give extra time to respond
- Reduce background noise during conversations
- Ask yes/no questions when the person is having a hard time finding words
- Use gestures, writing, or pictures alongside speech
- Treat the person as the capable adult they are, and avoid speaking for them unless asked
Our team includes a speech-language pathologist with experience in adult neurological rehabilitation. Learn more about Tiffany Santos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does aphasia affect intelligence?
No. Aphasia affects language, not intelligence. People with aphasia usually know what they want to say and understand the world around them, but have trouble finding, understanding, or putting together the words.
Is it too late for therapy if the stroke was a long time ago?
Not necessarily. Many people keep working on communication goals months or years after a stroke. An assessment can help you decide whether therapy makes sense now and what to focus on.
Is aphasia the same as slurred speech?
No. Slurred or unclear speech after a stroke is usually dysarthria, which affects the muscles used for speaking. Aphasia affects language itself: finding words, understanding, reading, and writing. Some people have both, and a speech-language pathologist can assess each one.
Can aphasia therapy be done online?
Yes. Online sessions can work well for many people with aphasia, and a family member can join to help with technology or take part in practice. We will talk through what format suits you best.