Aphasia is a neurological disorder that affects how a person speaks, understands language, reads or writes. Although it affects an individual’s communication skills through the brain’s language networks, it does not affect intelligence.
According to speech language pathologist and speech therapist Shivam Singh, head of the speech and audiology department at Marengo Asia Institutes of Neurosciences, the condition is common after a stroke. It may also be caused by brain injury, brain tumours, infections, or neurodegenerative diseases.
Speaking with HT Lifestyle on the occasion of Aphasia Awareness Month, which is observed every June, he shared a list of warning signs that one should look out for to detect the disease early, get a diagnosis and start treatment in a timely manner.
1. Trouble finding the right words
An early warning sign that most people ignore is when individuals start having trouble finding the right words while speaking, noted the speech language pathologist.
“In fact, they may suddenly have trouble naming objects, use a wrong word or phrase while talking with others, or may start hesitating a lot as they talk,” he shared.
2. Trouble understanding spoken language
Another sign that is commonly seen is trouble in understanding the spoken language. Individuals experiencing the condition can look confused during conversations, often ask people to repeat themselves or struggle to follow simple instructions.
3. Trouble reading and writing
When it comes to issues with reading and writing in aphasia patients, it is not limited to reading books or writing long essays. According to Shivam Singh, early signs of reading difficulties include difficulty understanding newspaper articles, text messages, or signboards.
“People with aphasia may also find themselves suddenly unable to write coherent sentences, spell familiar words, or compose messages that once came easily,” he shared.
4. Broken speech
A prominent sign of aphasia is broken speech. In such cases, an individual may speak broken sentences which are neither well-formed nor meaningful.
“These symptoms often appear suddenly, especially when aphasia is caused by a stroke,” highlighted the speech language pathologist. “If a person suddenly starts talking differently or has problems with understanding language, reading or writing, this should be treated as a medical emergency. Time-sensitive intervention can greatly improve outcomes of recovery.”
Shivam Singh pointed out that communication problems are not a normal part of ageing. Early diagnosis, neurologic assessment, and timely intervention through speech-language therapy can help individuals with aphasia recover their ability to communicate.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
