Lost for Words

Written By Jill Cerracchio

🧠 Lost for Words: Understanding Aphasia in Everyday Life

Imagine waking up one day and knowing exactly what you want to say—but the words just don’t come out right. Or you’re reading a sentence, and suddenly the words don’t make sense anymore. For millions of people, that’s the daily challenge of living with aphasia.

Let’s explore what aphasia is, how it affects communication, and how we can support those who live with it.

🗣️ What Is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person’s ability to speak, understand, read, or write. It happens when the parts of the brain responsible for language—usually in the left hemisphere—are damaged.

Aphasia is not a problem with intelligence. People with aphasia know what they want to say, but their brain struggles to connect the message with the right words.

🧠 What Causes It?

The most common cause of aphasia is a stroke, especially one that damages the left side of the brain. Other causes include:

  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

  • Brain tumors

  • Infections

  • Degenerative diseases, such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA)

Aphasia can come on suddenly (as with a stroke), or it can develop slowly over time (as in PPA).

📊 Types of Aphasia

There are several types, and they affect communication in different ways:

1. Broca’s Aphasia (Non-Fluent)

  • Speech is slow and broken

  • Comprehension is mostly intact

  • Example: “Want... food... kitchen.”

2. Wernicke’s Aphasia (Fluent)

  • Speech is fluent but may not make sense

  • Difficulty understanding others

  • Example: “The spooned cat jumped radios.”

3. Global Aphasia

  • Severe communication difficulties

  • Limited ability to speak or understand

  • Often caused by extensive brain damage

4. Anomic Aphasia

  • Trouble finding the right words, especially names of objects

  • Speech is fluent and grammatical

🧍 Who Does It Affect?

According to the National Aphasia Association, around 2 million people in the U.S. live with aphasia, and nearly 180,000 Americans acquire it each year, most commonly after a stroke. Despite being so common, aphasia is less well known than Parkinson’s or ALS.

🛠️ Can It Be Treated?

Yes! While full recovery isn’t always possible, many people improve with therapy and support.

Treatment options include:

  • Speech-language therapy: Focuses on rebuilding language skills and using alternate ways to communicate.

  • Group therapy: Encourages social interaction and communication practice.

  • Communication tools: Picture boards, apps, or gestures can help bridge the gap.

The brain is amazing—thanks to neuroplasticity, other areas of the brain can sometimes take over language functions with the right therapy.

🤝 How to Help Someone with Aphasia

  • Be patient—don’t rush or finish their sentences.

  • Use simple language and repeat if needed.

  • Use gestures, writing, or drawings to help communicate.

  • Look them in the eye and show respect. Remember, they understand more than they may be able to say.

  • Include them in conversations—they still have a voice.

💬 A Real-World Reminder

In 2016, actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia, bringing national attention to the condition. His family later revealed it was part of frontotemporal dementia, but his journey helped spread awareness about how life-altering aphasia can be—and how much support and understanding matter.

🧠 Communication Is a Human Right

Aphasia challenges the most human thing we do: connect with others through language. But with compassion, education, and therapy, we can help people with aphasia reclaim their voice—and their place in the conversation.

Keep the words flowing and the hearts listening. 💙

📚 References

  1. National Aphasia Association. (n.d.). What is Aphasia? Retrieved from: https://www.aphasia.org/aphasia-definitions/

  2. Mayo Clinic. (2023). Aphasia. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aphasia

  3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). (2022). Aphasia. Retrieved from: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia

  4. American Stroke Association. (2023). Life After Stroke: Aphasia. Retrieved from: https://www.stroke.org/en/life-after-stroke/aphasia

Jill Cerracchio
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