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Aphasia Notes

Aphasia is a neurogenic language disorder resulting from brain damage, primarily affecting expressive and receptive language abilities, commonly caused by strokes. There are two main types of aphasia: non-fluent (e.g., Broca's and Global Aphasia) and fluent (e.g., Wernicke's and Anomic Aphasia), each with distinct characteristics. Assessment tools and evidence-based interventions focus on improving communication abilities and participation in daily activities, with recovery influenced by factors such as lesion characteristics and therapy intensity.

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11 views3 pages

Aphasia Notes

Aphasia is a neurogenic language disorder resulting from brain damage, primarily affecting expressive and receptive language abilities, commonly caused by strokes. There are two main types of aphasia: non-fluent (e.g., Broca's and Global Aphasia) and fluent (e.g., Wernicke's and Anomic Aphasia), each with distinct characteristics. Assessment tools and evidence-based interventions focus on improving communication abilities and participation in daily activities, with recovery influenced by factors such as lesion characteristics and therapy intensity.

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caroline.walsh2
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Aphasia Notes

🧠 What is Aphasia?
 Aphasia is an acquired neurogenic language disorder caused by damage to
language-dominant regions of the brain, typically in the left hemisphere.
 It affects:
o Expressive language (speaking, writing)
o Receptive language (understanding spoken and written language)
 Common cause: Stroke (most frequently ischemic), but also traumatic brain injury,
brain tumors, infections, or progressive neurological disease.

Types of Aphasia (Non-Fluent and Fluent)


1. Non-Fluent Aphasias

 Broca’s Aphasia:
o Halting, effortful speech.
o Short phrases, agrammatism.
o Relatively preserved comprehension.
o Impaired repetition.
 Transcortical Motor Aphasia:
o Similar to Broca’s, but repetition is intact.
 Global Aphasia:
o Severe impairment across all modalities: speaking, understanding, reading,
and writing.

2. Fluent Aphasias

 Wernicke’s Aphasia:
o Fluent but meaningless speech (paraphasias, neologisms).
o Poor comprehension.
o Impaired repetition.
 Transcortical Sensory Aphasia:
o Fluent speech with poor comprehension but preserved repetition.
 Conduction Aphasia:
o Fluent speech, relatively intact comprehension.
o Impaired repetition is hallmark.
 Anomic Aphasia:
o Word-finding difficulties (anomia).
o Speech is fluent and grammatically correct.

🏥 Assessment of Aphasia
Standardized Tools

 Western Aphasia Battery – Revised (WAB-R): Classifies aphasia type and severity.
 Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE): Detailed profile of language
abilities.
 Boston Naming Test: Assesses confrontation naming.
 Comprehensive Aphasia Test (CAT): Broader language and cognitive assessment.

Functional and Person-Centred Tools

 Communication Activities of Daily Living (CADL-3): Real-world communication


tasks.
 ASHA Functional Assessment of Communication Skills (ASHA FACS).
 Quality of Communication Life Scale (QCL): Measures impact on participation and
well-being.

🧩 Common Language Features


 Paraphasias: Word errors.
o Phonemic: Sound substitutions (e.g., “lephelant” for “elephant”).
o Semantic: Wrong but related word (e.g., “dog” for “cat”).
 Neologisms: Made-up words.
 Agrammatism: Omission of grammatical elements (“want cookie”).
 Jargon: Fluent, nonsensical speech.
 Anomia: Word-finding difficulty.
 Perseveration: Repeating words or ideas.

Evidence-Based Intervention Approaches


Impairment-Based Approaches:

 Semantic Feature Analysis: Strengthens word retrieval by activating semantic


networks.
 Phonological Components Analysis: Focuses on phonological cues.
 Constraint-Induced Language Therapy: Intensive, constraint-focused speaking
practice.
 Script Training: Practicing functional, personally relevant scripts.
 Melodic Intonation Therapy: Using melody and rhythm to improve fluency.

Functional/Participation-Focused Approaches:

 Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA): Training communication


partners to facilitate interaction.
 Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA): Emphasizes real-life goals and re-
engagement.
 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): Low-tech and high-tech
supports.

🧠 Recovery & Prognosis


 Factors Influencing Recovery:
o Lesion size and location.
o Initial severity.
o Age and health status.
o Motivation and support.
 Neuroplasticity supports functional reorganization, especially with early, intensive
therapy.

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