Aphasia Overview
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the parts of the brain responsible for communication. It affects a person’s ability to speak, understand speech, read, or write — without impairing intelligence. This often occurs suddenly after a stroke or head injury, but it can also develop gradually due to brain tumours or neurological diseases.
This condition can be mild or severe. Some people may struggle to find the right words, while others may lose nearly all ability to communicate. The condition can be deeply frustrating for both the person affected and their loved ones.
Common symptoms of aphasia include:
- Difficulty speaking or finding words
- Trouble understanding spoken language
- Mixing up or inventing words (e.g. saying “table” instead of “chair”)
- Inability to read aloud or write correctly
- Speaking in short, broken phrases
This condition affects people differently depending on the location and extent of brain damage. While it does not affect intelligence, it often co-exists with other problems such as paralysis, memory issues, or emotional changes.
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