Aphasia: Be in the Know

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Only 40% of people in the U.S. have heard of aphasia and can correctly identify it as a language disorder that impairs the ability to communicate.

More than 2 million people in the U.S. are estimated to have aphasia, commonly as a result of stroke. Stroke survivors with aphasia face an increased incidence of post-stroke depression versus stroke survivors with no aphasia.

• Aphasia does impact language: listening, writing, reading and speaking
• Aphasia does NOT impact intelligence

Tips for better communication with someone with aphasia:

• Be patient. Allow extra time to communicate and keep it simple.
• Use a variety of ways to communicate — writing, facial expressions, speaking, pictures, phone/communication apps.
• Successful communication takes two — be direct and confirm what’s said.

The American Stroke Association and the National Aphasia Association — collaborating to help stroke survivors beat aphasia.

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