a language disorder caused by brain damage. Some problems associated with
aphasia include: speaking (expressive language), listening (receptive
language), reading, and writing. The most common cause of aphasia is a stroke
that affects the language-dominant hemisphere of the brain. For the majority of
people, the left hemisphere is the dominant hemisphere for language.
various types of aphasia. For example, Broca’s aphasia is characterized by
difficulty finding words, limited verbal output, and right-sided weakness.
Wernicke’s aphasia is characterized by fluent, excessive verbal productions
with little meaning and poor receptive language. Global aphasia affects all
aspects of communication and is typically the most severe type of aphasia.
Who can this affect?
People of all ages who have suffered brain damage to the
language-dominant hemisphere of the brain.
- case history interview
- assessment of oral-motor skills
- assessment of speech skills
- informal and formal assessment of receptive
(understanding of) language
- informal and formal assessment of expressive
(use of) language
- language production—functional to
- language comprehension of simple and
- compensatory and therapeutic strategies
such as Melodic Intonation Therapy