Aphasia is a broad-spectrum disorder that can manifest in several ways. There are several distinct and well-defined impairments that frequently overlap depending on the type of aphasia the individual has, as well as the severity of it. As a result, no two individuals with aphasia are completely alike.
One of the most common impairments occurs with spoken language where an individual may have difficulty speaking. However, aphasia can also affect language comprehension, written expression, and reading comprehension.
No matter what symptoms a person presents, it’s important things to remember that aphasia does NOT affect intellect. Here are the most common symptoms that persons with aphasia present.
Symptoms of aphasia will vary depending on individual circumstances and the severity of the condition. They can range from mild to severe.
Mild aphasia:
- Trouble understanding long messages
- Needing a little extra time to understand and respond to spoken messages
- Difficulty finding words to express or explain an idea
- Putting words in the wrong order, or substituting the wrong word/part of a word when talking. For example, calling a “table” a “cup”
- Difficulty responding to questions on the spot
Severe aphasia:
- Trouble understanding spoken messages
- Little to no ability to read or write
- Unreliable in responding to “yes and no” questions
- Unaware of own errors
- Using a combination of words and jargon that is not understood by others
- Little or no speech
Click on the tiles below to learn more about the most common symptoms of aphasia.
Difficulty with Reading Comprehension
Difficulty with Language Comprehension
Difficulty with Written Expression
Difficulty With Spoken Language
Agrammatism
Dysprosody
Paraphasia
