What is Aphasia?

apha•sia | uh-fey-zhuh

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder often resulting from a stroke or brain injury. It affects a person’s ability to process, use, and/or understand language. Aphasia does not affect intelligence.

Aphasia can affect all forms of language – speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Aphasia can cause frustration and stress for an individual living with it, as well as for their caregiver. An aphasia diagnosis is unplanned, unexpected, and frustrating, but it’s not hopeless.

There are many types of aphasia, and characteristics vary depending on the location and degree of damage to the brain. The greater the severity of the aphasia, the more limited the speech and language skills.