Week 3: Aphasia and Brain Injuries Flashcards
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage, often from a stroke, that affects speech, comprehension, reading, and writing.
What are te main types of aphasia?
Non-fluent (Broca’s aphasia): Difficulty forming words but good comprehension.
Fluent (Wernicke’s aphasia): Speech is fluid but lacks meaning, with poor comprehension.
Global aphasia: Severe impairment in all language skills.
How does brain damage affect communication?
Brain injuries can cause difficulty in forming sentences, understanding language, recalling words, and maintaining conversation flow.
How does Broca’s aphasia affect speech?
Speech is slow and effortful, often missing small words. The person may struggle with sentence structure but can understand others well.
How does Wernicke’s aphasia affect speech?
Speech sounds normal in fluency but is often nonsensical, with made-up or misplaced words. Comprehension is poor.
What are other common communication deficits after brain injury?
- Difficulty finding words (anomia)
- Trouble following conversations
- Difficulty understanding fast speech
- Struggles with reading or writing
How can OTs help patients with aphasia?
- visual supports
- communication boards
- functional activities to improve communication in daily life.
How do PTs support patients with aphasia?
breathing control and posture, which can support clearer speech.
What is the role of OTA/PTAs in aphasia treatment?
They assist in practicing speech strategies, using communication aids, and reinforcing therapy exercises.
How can therapists communicate with patients who have aphasia?
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Use short, simple sentences.
- Give extra time for responses.
- Use gestures, pictures, or writing to support speech.
What are effective ways to help patients recall words?
Using visual cues, first-letter prompts, and allowing extra time to retrieve words can improve recall.
How can caregivers support communication for patients with aphasia?
Encouraging non-verbal communication, using written keywords, and practicing speech exercises can enhance communication.
what is dysarthria?
issue with muscle control that results in weakness and incoordination of speech
what can dysarthria be mistaken as?
substance problem
how does the right hemisphere play a role in communication?
- emotional nuances
- humor
- sarcasm
- body language
- intonation of speech
*they may undersand what is said but not how it is said
what are some strategies working with pt with dysarthria?
ask pt to…
- over emphasize facial movment
- slow their speech down
- produce each word individually
strategies with wernickes pt?
- yes or no
how can you work with a pt with brocas?
- pen for yourself and the pt
- sit next to them
- key words
strategies with right hemisphere?
- maintain focus and eye contact
- avoid humor and sarcasm
- remind pt of the topic being discussed
3 ways to convo with aphasia pt…
- get your message IN: to ensure you are being understood by the person with aphasia
- get their message OUT: help them express their thoughts to you
- verify: make the person with aphasia feel understood
How does right hemisphere dysfunction affect communication?
It impacts emotional nuances, humour, sarcasm, body language, and intonation of speech. A person may understand what is said but not how it is said.
