What is Dysphasia?

Dysphasia (or aphasia) is the general term used to describe a difficulty with language.

How do I know if I have dysphasia?

You may experience difficulties with:

• Understanding what others are saying
• Thinking of names/ people
• Formulating sentences
• Writing and knowing what to write
• Reading

Sometimes it might be difficult to understand why other people can’t understand you.

What causes dysphasia?

You may have a difficulty communicating as a result of:

• stroke
• head/ brain injury
• dementia
• brain tumour
• neurological condition (e.g. meningitis)

How is dysphasia treated?

If you have a difficulty communicating you will be seen by a Speech and Language Therapist. They will provide advice and support.

How can other people support communication:

• Use simple language and talk slowly e.g. ‘do you want a drink?’
• Use gesture, e.g. pointing, showing
• Draw and write down key words e.g. ‘drink?’

Other strategies to help:

• Face the person you are speaking to.
• Reduce background noise.
• Talk about familiar things, e.g. family.
• Allow plenty of time.
• Take turns to speak so that only one person at a time is speaking.
• Don’t pretend to understand or finish someone’s sentence

Other sources of information:

www.speakability.org.uk

www.stroke.org.uk

www.aphasianow.org

Please contact your Speech and Language Therapist if you require more information.