Types of aphasia

There are several different types of aphasia. While there are common characteristics, each type of aphasia presents unique symptoms and many people with aphasia show overlapping symptoms.

Intelligence and cognition are not affected by aphasia. Because of the damage to the left hemisphere of the brain, many people with aphasia also have weakness on the right side of the body. Writing ability can be impacted by any associated weakness or paralysis in the hand and arm.

Aphasia can improve with time and therapy. Working with a speech-language pathologist can help someone with aphasia make as much improvement as possible. Many people see significant improvement following the stroke or brain injury, and improvement can continue for years, especially with ongoing therapy and practice.

Anomic aphasia

Anomic aphasia is a mild form of aphasia in which the individual has difficulty with word-finding, or naming items.

Learn more

Broca’s aphasia

Broca’s aphasia is a form of aphasia in which the person knows what they want to say but is unable to produce the words or sentence.

Learn more

Conduction aphasia

Conduction aphasia is a type of aphasia in which the main impairment is in the inability to repeat words or phrases.

Learn more

Global aphasia

Global aphasia is the most severe form of aphasia. In global aphasia, all language modalities are affected – speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing.

Learn more

Mixed transcortical aphasia

Mixed Transcortical Aphasia is a type of aphasia in which repetition is the primary language ability that is present.

Learn more

Primary progressive aphasia

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is different from the other types of aphasia because it is not caused by a stroke or other brain injury.

Learn more

Transcortical motor aphasia

Transcortical Motor Aphasia (TMA or TMoA) is a type of aphasia that is similar to Broca’s aphasia but does not directly affect Broca’s area of the brain.

Learn more

Transcortical sensory aphasia

Transcortical Sensory Aphasia (TSA) can produce connected, flowing speech but is likely to lack meaning due to word errors and invented words.

Learn more

Wernicke’s aphasia

Wernicke’s aphasia is characterized by fluent speech that does not make sense. Because of this, Wernicke’s aphasia is also known as fluent aphasia and receptive aphasia.

Learn more

Learn about aphasia

What is
aphasia?

Get a clear explanation of aphasia, what it affects, and why it can look different from person to person.

Learn more

What causes
aphasia?

Explore the most common causes of aphasia and how brain changes can lead to communication challenges.

Learn more

What are symptoms
of aphasia?

Find out what communication challenges people with aphasia face based on what type of aphasia they have.

Learn more

What are the
types of aphasia?

Learn how aphasia is commonly grouped, what those patterns mean, and why no two experiences are exactly the same.

Learn more

Diagnosis, recovery,
and prevention

Learn how aphasia is diagnosed, recovery outlook, and prevention tips.

Learn more

Related
conditions

See which conditions may co-exist with aphasia and how they might affect you.

Learn more

How is
aphasia treated?

Get more info on how professionals treat aphasia and how different treatments work.

Learn more

Resources

Articles

Explore expert insights, practical guidance, and real-world perspectives on living with and understanding aphasia.

Read articles

Webinars

Informative aphasia-focused webinars that support education, shared understanding, and informed decision-making.

Watch webinars

Aphasia stories

Personal stories, short films, and perspectives that show how people live, adapt, and communicate with aphasia.

See their stories

Community

Join In Aphasia is a free online community that brings people together to connect and support one another on their aphasia journey.

Visit community