We all have little tricks we use to help us in our daily lives. Some of these strategies help us prevent problems before they happen, like setting a timer on the oven so we won’t forget to take out the roast. Other strategies allow us to solve problems after they arise, like turning the TV down when we can’t hear someone talking from the next room. The more strategies we know, the more likely we are to successfully solve problems.
The Problem: Word-Finding Difficulties
For people with aphasia, the most common problem is not being able to think of the word they want. They might try to solve this problem by using a filler word: that thing, the whatsamacallit, oh you know, whatsherface. These generic words are devoid of meaning, so they fail to communicate the intended message. When communication breaks down, it’s time to use a strategy.
The Treatment: Word-Finding Strategies
There are many word-finding strategies people with aphasia can use when they can’t think of the word they want to say. Each person will find some strategies more helpful than others, so it’s a good idea to practice them all to learn which ones work best for you. Often a combination approach is most useful, trying one and then another. Each strategy gives a bit more information to the listener and stimulates the area of your brain that’s refusing to give up the word.
Here are 10 helpful word-finding strategies for people with aphasia:
1. Delay: Just give it a second or two. With a bit of extra time, the word may pop out on its own. Be patient with yourself, and ask your partner to give you time.
“Do you have any… um… oh… one sec… any scissors?”
2. Describe: Give the listener information about what the thing looks like or does. Any extra information can help them know what you’re talking about. It may even help you to say the word.
“Do you have any… oh dear, those things that cut? Scissors!”
3. Association: See if you can think of something related. Even if it’s not quite right, it may prompt the word or convey the meaning.
“Do you have any… ah my… they’re not knives, but like that?”
4. Synonyms: Think of a word that means the same or something similar.
“Do you have any…clippers?”
5. First Letter: Try to write or think of the first letter of the word. Scan the alphabet to see if each letter triggers anything for you.
“Do you have any… (traces an S in the air)… scissors?”
6. Gesture: Use your hands or body to act out the word, like playing a game of charades. Even gesturing with your hands in a non-specific way or tapping the table may help activate the brain.
“Do you have any… (makes cutting gesture with fingers)?”
7. Draw: Sketch out a quick picture of what you’re trying to say. You don’t have to be an artist to use drawing to communicate.
“Do you have any… (draws scissors on a notepad)?”
8. Look it Up: Think if there’s somewhere the word is written down or pictured. A communication notebook, the Contacts app in your phone, or a ticket stub in your pocket may hold the word.
“Do you have any… (points to scissors in a picture dictionary)?”
9. Narrow it Down: Give the general topic or category. Is it a person, place, or thing? A family member or a friend? Stating the topic can help your listener predict what you might be trying to say by providing some context.
“Do you have any…oh…they’re office supplies.”
10. Come Back Later: If you can’t think of the word and your partner can’t guess, it’s okay to give up for now. Our brains work out problems while we do other things, so it’s possible the word will simply pop out later. This is a last resort, so try other strategies first.
“Do you have any… [tries every other strategy]… oh, never mind… I’ll ask you later.”
FREE: Download this list of the “Top 10 Word-Finding Strategies for Aphasia” to share with clients
Training Word-Finding Strategies using Apps
It’s important to practice using word-finding strategies in a supported environment with the help of a speech therapist or trained partner. The more you practice a strategy, the easier it will be to use when you need it. Many of the Tactus Therapy apps for aphasia can be used to practice word-finding strategies in the clinic or at home.
To practice describing (strategy #2), giving associates (strategy #3) and naming the category (strategy #9), use the Describe activity in Naming Therapy. The icons surrounding the pictures ask you questions that make you think about the various features of the objects and actions. The activity is based on the evidence-based treatment of semantic feature analysis.
Use the Naming Practice activity to give yourself the first letter of the word (strategy #5). The cueing hierarchy gives you increasingly helpful hints to say the word. If you find the First Letter cue useful, you can start trying to think of the first letter yourself.
Practice gesturing words (strategy #6) using the 700+ words in the Flashcards activity.
Traveler’s dictionaries and ESL photo dictionaries are excellent communication tools. The Oxford Picture Dictionary is a staple, and comes in an app. Other great apps include BabelDeck and ICOON. Put them on your iPhone or iPad so you’ll have them when you need them (strategy #8).
Advanced Naming Therapy
Practice coming up with synonyms (strategy #4) using the Generate activity in Advanced Naming Therapy.
This app also provides an excellent opportunity to practice using all the word-finding strategies when you talk about the fun pictures in the Describe activity and discuss the concepts in the Compare activity.
The whiteboard feature of AlphaTopics is perfect for writing the first letter or whole word (strategy #5) or for drawing a quick picture (strategy #7).
Use the letter board to scan the alphabet (strategy #5) or the topic board to help you narrow-in on the subject (strategy #9).
Once you’ve learned all these strategies, you can put them to use by answering the 10 different question types in Conversation Therapy. Ask for a few extra seconds (strategy #1) to think of the word when you get stuck. Then try the other strategies if the words still won’t come.
Try all the apps above for FREE by downloading the Lite versions from the App Store. Naming Therapy can be tried as part of Language Therapy 4-in-1 on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App Store.
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