Aphasia
Overview
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Aphasia is a symptom of an underlying problem. It may cause:
-
Problems speaking:
- Speaking in short, broken phrases
- Putting words in the wrong order
- Using incorrect grammar
- Switching sounds or words
- Speaking in words that do not have meaning and do not make sense
- Problems finding the names for everyday words
-
Problems understanding speech:
- Needing extra time to process language
- Problems following very fast speech
- Taking the literal meaning of a figure of speech
- Problems reading
- Problems writing
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. Speech language, and communication tests may be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis. You may also need to see a doctor who treats the nervous system.
Other tests may be done to find the cause of the aphasia.
Treatments
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
Copyright © EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
RESOURCES
National Aphasia Association http://www.aphasia.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Aphasia Institute http://www.aphasia.ca
Brain Injury Awareness http://www.biaa.ca
References
Aphasia. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia. Accessed April 7, 2020.
Aphasia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/aphasia.aspx. Updated March 6, 2017. Accessed April 7, 2020.
Stroke rehabilitation in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/stroke-rehabilitation-in-adults . Updated February 24, 2020. Accessed April 7, 2020.