Global aphasia

Global aphasia is the most severe form of aphasia. It affects a person’s ability to communicate, including speaking, understanding others, reading, and writing. People get global aphasia when multiple language centers in the brain are damaged, including Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area. This usually happens right after a stroke or a brain injury.

A speech-language pathologist (SLP) may change a person’s diagnosis from global aphasia to a different type of aphasia as their condition changes over time. Speech therapy may help a person’s global aphasia improve.

It’s important to know that global aphasia doesn’t affect how smart a person is – it just affects their ability to use and understand language.

What are the symptoms of global aphasia?

The symptoms of global aphasia are:

• Having a hard time understanding when people talk
• Having a hard time reading and writing
• Very little ability to talk or express yourself

Some people may feel isolated or sad when they have trouble communicating with others. Caregivers, family, and friends may need help knowing how to support loved ones with global aphasia. Medical professionals, doctors, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may provide support for both the person with global aphasia and their loved ones.

What causes global aphasia?

Global aphasia is caused by damage to the language processing centers of the brain. This is most commonly due to a stroke or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). <

Which part of the brain is affected?

Global aphasia affects the language processing centers of the brain. These areas are called Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area. Each area is responsible for handling different aspects of language in your brain, although they interact in a complex way.

The language processing centers of your brain are responsible for:

• Understanding spoken language
• Finding the right words to use (vocabulary)
• Using words in the right order (grammar)
• Reading and writing

How is global aphasia diagnosed?

A medical professional will diagnose what caused your aphasia (i.e. stroke, TBI, etc.) after giving you exams, including neurological and physical tests. The provider may also order other tests to look for brain damage, such as:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

An SLP will conduct language testing to diagnose the aphasia and the type of aphasia based on your ability to speak, understand, read, and write. The SLP will also help you decide what next steps are and what treatment is best for you and your specific condition.

How is global aphasia treated?

Speech therapy with a speech-language pathologist is the best way to treat global aphasia. Speech-language pathologists are trained professionals who will work closely with you to regain your communication skills. This may also include learning different ways to communicate.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is a term SLPs use to refer to different types of communication and tools. For example, a communication board is an AAC tool that has images or icons you point to for communicating basic needs if you have trouble speaking.

AAC devices are a common tool speech therapists use for therapy for people with global aphasia. An AAC device is usually a tablet or electronic device with apps or tools to help you express yourself, including pre-recorded speech, text-to-speech, or icons and pictures. These devices can be very useful for replacing speech and helping people with global aphasia re-train their brains on how to communicate.

An SLP may teach you non-verbal (wordless) communication styles, like visual action therapy. This type of communication relies on hand movements or gestures to represent simple objects. Many people with global aphasia may already do this, such as when pointing to your mouth to indicate you’re hungry.

SLPs will also include your caregivers and loved ones to help them learn how to communicate with you, and how to help you communicate with them.

Can global aphasia improve?

Recovering from global aphasia will look different for everyone. It depends on several factors, including:

• How much and which part(s) of your brain have been injured
• Other health issues you may be experiencing, like diabetes or heart disease
• The extent of support you can access, including medical doctors, caregivers, and insurance providers

Many people experience the worst symptoms of global aphasia directly after their brain injury occurs, such as in the weeks or months after a stroke. Your symptoms may improve over time, especially with speech therapy and treatment. Some people recover fully from global aphasia, while others may have communication difficulties for the rest of their lives.

The good news is that there are many resources for improving and managing global aphasia.

Your healthcare providers will be your best resource for guiding you through the best recovery options for your situation

Can global aphasia be prevented?

There is no way to fully prevent global aphasia. However, there are ways to reduce your risk:

• Take care of any health conditions you have that may lead to stroke or brain injury.
• Practice safety precautions (like wearing a helmet) when doing anything that may harm your head.
• Call 911 or contact emergency services if you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of a stroke to prevent brain damage

What is it like to live with global aphasia?

With the right medical treatment and speech therapy, people with global aphasia can learn new ways to communicate. They may also be able to regain a lot of their former speaking and communication abilities.

What emotional or psychological effects can occur?

The most common feeling people with global aphasia report is frustration. This is because they have trouble expressing their feelings, desires, or needs clearly. People may mistake their communication challenges for an intellectual disability, which can also be frustrating. People with global aphasia may also feel embarrassed by their inability to talk clearly or understand what others are saying.

Having communication challenges can also make someone feel lonely and isolated. This can lead to depression or anxiety. Some people with global aphasia may withdraw from social situations.

Good support from medical providers, caregivers, friends, and family can help reduce or prevent these types of emotions in people with global aphasia.