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Aphasia Facts & Worksheets

Aphasia is a communication disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, write, and understand language

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Aphasia is is a disorder when a person cannot comprehend or create words due to impairment in a particular part of the brain. The two leading causes are a stroke and head trauma. While prevalence is difficult to define, aphasia brought on by a stroke is thought to affect 0.1-0.4% of people in the Global North.

See the fact file below for more information on Aphasia, or you can download our 27-page Aphasia worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHAT IS APHASIA?

  • Damage to a particular part of the brain that regulates language expression and comprehension results in aphasia, a language impairment. A person with aphasia finds it challenging to interact with others.
  • Aphasia is a common side effect of a stroke. Aphasia affects both men and women equally, and most sufferers are in their middle to late years.
  • Brain injury can also cause speech issues like dysarthria or apraxia of speech, which can co-occur with aphasia.

CAUSES OF APHASIA

  • Apraxia develops from damage to one or more language regions in the brain. A stroke is the most common factor in brain injuries. A blood clot or a leaky or ruptured artery that blocks blood flow to a portion of the brain causes a stroke. Brain cells perish without regular blood flow, which carries oxygen and vital nutrients. 
  • Severe head trauma, brain tumors, bullet wounds, brain infections, and degenerative neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease are other causes of brain injury.

TYPES OF APHASIA

  • Aphasia comes in a variety of forms. These are often identified depending on the extent of the damage and the region of the damaged language-dominant side of the brain.
  • The following are the types of aphasia:
    • Mixed Non-Fluent Aphasia
    • Anomic Aphasia
    • Global Aphasia
    • Primary Progressive Aphasia
    • Broca’s Aphasia
    • Wernicke’s Aphasia
  • The most severe kind of aphasia is global. It is brought on by damage to various brain areas involved in language processing. 
  • Those with global aphasia can produce only a few recognizable words. They have very limited or no comprehension of spoken language. Thought and intellectual talents unrelated to language or speech may still be intact. 
  • Global aphasia may immediately become evident after a stroke or other brain injury. Although this kind of aphasia can improve as the brain heals, there might be permanent harm.
  • Non-fluent or expressive aphasia are other names for Broca’s aphasia. Partial language loss affects those who have Broca’s aphasia. 
  • They have trouble speaking clearly and might only be able to say a few words simultaneously. 
  • Their speech is described as slow or effortful because they can only speak a few words at a time.
  • Similar to those with Broca’s aphasia, persons with this type of aphasia speak slowly and with effort. 
  • However, compared to people with Broca’s aphasia, their comprehension skills are less developed. 
  • They may have basic literacy skills, but only at a level suitable for elementary school.
  • Fluent aphasia and receptive aphasia are other names for Wernicke’s aphasia. 
  • Although these people have trouble understanding spoken words, they have no trouble making coherent conversation, which is why it is referred to as fluent speech. 
  • However, they frequently utilize meaningless or irrelevant terms in their statements, and their words may need to be clarified. They often need to be made aware that they are employing the wrong times.
  • An individual with anomic aphasia struggles to find the appropriate words to express what they are trying to say. 
  • They are proficient in grammar and speech production, yet they cannot express themselves verbally. 
  • They frequently use general terms and may appear to be “talking around” the subject they cannot express when speaking. When they write, they also have trouble coming up with words.
  • PPA is a neurological condition in which a person gradually loses the ability to use words. PPA is caused by neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease, whereas a stroke brings on the majority of other types of aphasia. 
  • PPA worsens as the brain’s language centers’ tissue degenerates over time. 
  • PPA eventually accompanies other dementia or memory loss symptoms because this type of aphasia is linked to degenerative illnesses.

DIAGNOSIS OF APHASIA

  • Aphasia is typically first seen by the doctor treating the patient’s brain injury. Most people will undergo computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to determine the specific site of their brain injury and confirm if one has occurred.
  • The doctor will often assess the patient’s comprehension and language skills by having them follow instructions, respond to questions, name things, and carry on a conversation.
  • The patient is typically sent to a speech-language pathologist if the doctor suspects aphasia so that the specialist can thoroughly evaluate the patient’s communication skills. 
  • The person’s capacity for speaking, expressing ideas, engaging in social conversation, comprehending language, and reading and writing are all carefully evaluated.

TREATMENT OF APHASIA

  • After a brain injury, the brain undergoes enormous changes that aid recovery. As a result, even without medical intervention, people with aphasia frequently experience significant advancements in their language and communication skills within the first few months. 
  • But after this initial period of healing, some aphasia frequently persists. In these situations, speech-language therapy assists patients in regaining their communication skills.
  • Aphasia therapy improves people’s ability to communicate by helping them use their remaining language skills, regaining some of their lost language skills, and learning alternate communication techniques like gestures, drawings, or technology. 
  • Individual treatment focuses on the needs of the individual, whereas group therapy allows patients to practice new communication skills in a small-group environment.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

  • Aphasia treatment frequently includes family involvement since it teaches family members the most effective ways to interact with their loved ones.
  • All members of the family are encouraged to:
    • Participate in therapy sessions.
    • Succinct, direct statements should be used to make the language more accessible.
    • You should write down or repeat the key terms to ensure that the information is understood.
    • Maintain a relaxed, appropriate adult discussion tone.
    • Encourage verbal, written, sign, pointing, gestural, and visual communication.
    • Assist the person in leaving the residence to participate in activities. Find support organizations, such as clubs for stroke victims.

FAMOUS PERSONALITIES WITH APHASIA

  • The Edwin Smith Papyrus describes speech issues in a person with a serious brain injury to the temporal lobe, which is the first documented case of aphasia.
  • At present, there are famous personalities who experienced aphasia or are currently battling aphasia.

Aphasia Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Aphasia across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching students about Aphasia, a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak, write, and understand language. It can occur after a brain injury or illness, such as a stroke.

Aphasia Worksheets
Aphasia Worksheets
Aphasia Worksheets

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Aphasia Facts
  • Aphasia Vocab
  • What am I?
  • My Brain
  • All about Aphasia
  • A Life with Aphasia
  • Helping Hand
  • Historical Foundation
  • Better Society
  • Understanding Aphasia
  • Solidarity 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s communication ability through speaking, writing, and understanding language. It is usually caused by damage to the brain’s language center, often as a result of a stroke or head injury.

What are the symptoms of aphasia?

The symptoms of aphasia can vary depending on the severity and type of aphasia. Still, common symptoms include difficulty speaking, finding the right words, understanding spoken language, reading and writing, and difficulty with word recall.

How is aphasia diagnosed?

Aphasia is diagnosed through a thorough evaluation of a person’s language abilities by a speech-language pathologist. This evaluation may include a medical history, a physical examination, and standardized language tests. In some cases, imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI may also be performed to determine the cause of the aphasia.

Is there a cure for aphasia?

There is no cure for aphasia, but with appropriate treatment and support, many people with aphasia can improve their language abilities and increase their independence. Speech therapy is often the primary treatment for aphasia and may involve working on speaking, writing, reading, and understanding language.

Can people with aphasia lead normal lives?

Yes, many people with aphasia can lead everyday lives with the help of speech therapy and other treatments. With support from family and friends, people with aphasia can continue to engage in activities they enjoy, work on, and participate in their communities. It is also important for people with aphasia to have access to resources and support systems to help them manage the challenges of their condition.

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Link will appear as Aphasia Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 16, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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