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Helen Gowland Chair Person Tayside Speakeasy Aphasia Self Help (affiliated to Speakability) Laorag Hunter Speech and Language Therapist NHS Tayside Aphasia A communication impairment “ay-fay-zee-ah” Aphasia Difficulty using and understanding spoken and written language Aphasia = Dysphasia Aphasia Common after stroke, brain injury and some brain illnesses Aphasia • 20,000 people develop aphasia every year • 50% of people have aphasia 18 months after it starts • 250,000 people in UK • Changes with communication can be lifelong 1999 • • • • • 44 years old 3 girls Husband Elderly parents Part time specialist physio • Committee work • Enjoying life Out Of The Blue • April 1999 • Aneurysm ruptured followed by stroke • Emergency brain surgery Aphasia- Many Changes Impact on Me • • • • Epilepsy Aphasia Changes in vision Balance • • • • Work Driving Family Hobbies Devastation 2010 • 55 years old • 3 girls, sons-in-law, boyfriends • Husband • Elderly parents • Part time work Oxfam • Committee work (local and national) • 2 dogs • Cooking • Enjoying life Living Successfully with Aphasia (Brown et al 2010) • Communication • Doing things • Meaningful relationships • Striving for a positive way of life Living Successfully with Aphasia (Brown et al 2010) • Communication • Doing things • Meaningful relationships • Striving for a positive way of life • Reduce communication barriers Ask yourself… • If I had difficulty understanding what would help? • If I had difficulty telling by speech what would help? • If I had difficulty reading what would help? • If I had difficulty telling by writing what would help? Aphasia Friendly • Don’t use a big word if a small word will do Don’t use unusual vocabulary Don’t use unusual words Aphasia Friendly • Use simple sentences “I am writing to inform you that garage charges will increase on 1st March from £25 per calendar month to £28” “Garage charges rise on 1st March to £28” Aphasia Friendly • Large Print Aphasia Friendly • More white space Aphasia Friendly • Key words in colour Aphasia Friendly • Include carefully selected images or symbols Aphasia Friendly • If you need a reply, include addressed envelopes Aphasia Friendly • Option for face to face help Aphasia Friendly • Time to understand and to answer Aphasia Friendly • Repeat important points Aphasia Friendly • • • • • • • • • • Simple words Simple sentences Large print More white space Key words in colour Use of carefully selected pictures/symbols Pre-printed envelopes Option for face to face help Plenty of time Repetition For example The next working group will be visiting the Scottish Parliament. You will need to bring bus pass, money for coffee and a packed lunch. There will be an opportunity to take photographs. www.communicationforumscotland.org.uk See handout • Ask for help with communication • Expect communication improves over a long period of time Stroke Research Tells Us… • Language function continues to improve over DECADES (Ambridge et al 2010) People with aphasia tell us… • This requires PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE The Importance of Practice Speech Therapy • Helps me to get new words 10 years on • Practise on my own at home with a communication aid • I am improving all the time • Feel positive Living Successfully with Aphasia (Brown et al 2010) • Communication • Doing things • Meaningful relationships • Striving for a positive way of life Speakeasy: Aphasia Self Help Supporting each other to live well with long-term changes in communication People with aphasia are not static, they are dynamic Harmony When they are supported to have a purpose, goals and to feel strong References • Brown, K et al (2010). Snapshots of success: An insider perspective on living successfully with aphasia. Aphasiology, 24 (10), 1267–1295 • Ambridge et al (2010). Predicting language outcome and recovery after stroke. RCSLT Bulletin, October 2010 • Maxwell, G (2009). Falling and Laughing: The restoration of Edwyn Collins. Ebury Press. Learn more about aphasia • www.ukconnect.org • www.speakability.org.uk Thank You