Wordy Wednesday - Then you are attempting to help those with Aphasia, or Communication Disorders

#WordyWednesday #Aphasa #Communication Disorders

Aphasia is loss of the ability to understand or express spoken or written language. It commonly occurs after strokes or traumatic brain injuries. It can also occur in people with brain tumors or degenerative diseases that affect the language areas of the brain.
Understanding Aphasia Aphasia is a language difficulty. Imagine yourself living in a foreign country where you do not speak the language. You would continue to have thoughts, possess all your former knowledge and have the same ability to make decisions. But you would be unable to speak to the residents of the country. You could not rely on their spoken or written words to help you understand. This is similar to living with aphasia.
Communication requires at least two components: speech and language.
Speech refers to the muscles you use to produce sounds. The muscles of your lips, tongue, throat, and lungs are all used to produce sounds that make up words.
Language refers to the “dictionary” of words, word meanings and rules for combining words into sentences. This “dictionary” is located in your brain. Aphasia occurs when a stroke has affected the part of the brain that holds the language “dictionary”.
How can I communicate with a person who has aphasia? Aphasia masks competence; so it’s likely that the person you’re communicating with knows more than they can say. Based on the SCATM approach, here are tips to help you:
• Get the message in
• Get the message out
• Verify Getting the message in:

Getting the message In:
First, establish: Does the person with aphasia understand what you are saying?
If YES, proceed.
If NO, use supports. Here are some ideas:
• Establish a clear general topic first; and then move on to the details.
• Communicate one idea at a time.
• Use short, simple sentences and expressive voice.
• As you are talking, use a hierarchy of techniques:
- Use gestures and facial expressions to enhance what you are saying.
- Write key words or main ideas in large bold print. (e.g. thick black marker)
- Use pictures/pictographs. Focus on one at a time.
- For example, if you were talking about an issue in the newspaper, is there a picture or headline you can show to the person with aphasia?
- Use objects in the environment to help get your message across.
• Eliminate as much distraction as possible (noises, other people, too much material)
• Observe the person to see if they understand (with facial expression/eye gaze, posture, gestures)
• Look at the person with aphasia when speaking. Your facial expression can help the person with aphasia understand you.

Getting the message out:
Does the person have a way of conveying their message to you?
This message can be verbal or non-verbal.
If NO, here are some ideas:
• Establish a clear general topic first; and then move on to understanding the details.
• Ask Yes/No questions and make sure the person has a way to respond. Use a written YES / NO if needed.
• Ask one thing at a time.
• Encourage the person with aphasia to write down a word or draw if they can.
• Ask the person to give clues by gesturing, or pointing to objects, pictures and written key words.

Verifying:
• Summarize: Pull things together at the end of a longer discussion; summarize slowly and clearly what you think the person is trying to say. e.g. “So let me make sure I understand…” Add gestures or written key words, if necessary.
• Use Yes/No questions to verify information. If the information you exchange needs to be accurate, it is especially important to VERIFY what you have heard, using techniques above.


If you notice the signs and symptoms of a stroke in your or someone around you



Balance / Co-ordination / Confusion

Eye and Vision Problems

Facial Droop

Slurred Speech

Stuttering

Inappropriate Word Usage for situation or context

Inability to stand

General Weakness or Weakness to one Body Side

Inability to properly and evenly Smile



Please Immediately place that person in a position of comfort and Dial 911



www.heartandstroke.ca/FAST



#IWillAgain #UpAgainAfterStroke #StrokeSurvivor #Strokeunder50 #FightStroke #StrokeAwareness



You can contact me in the following methods



strokeassaulter@gmail.com







Here are the articles I used to research this video:

Communicating with someone with aphasia

medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000024.htm


Avoid The Following When Communicating With Someone Who Has Aphasia



Understanding Aphasia

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