10 Myths About Aphasia You Need to Stop Believing

INTRODUCTION : Aphasia is a communication disorder that can profoundly impact a person’s ability to speak, understand, read, or write. Despite increased awareness, there are many myths surrounding aphasia, which can lead to misunderstandings about the condition and its treatment. In this blog, we will debunk 10 common myths about aphasia and uncover the truths behind them, helping to spread awareness and understanding.

Myth 1: Aphasia Is a Cognitive Disorder

Truth: Aphasia affects language abilities, not intelligence.
People with aphasia have difficulty with communication, but this does not mean their cognitive abilities, such as memory or problem-solving skills, are impaired. They know what they want to say but struggle to express it.

Myth 2: Only Older Adults Get Aphasia

Truth: While stroke, a common cause of aphasia, is more frequent in older adults, people of any age can develop aphasia due to traumatic brain injuries, infections, or other conditions.

Myth 3: Aphasia Is Rare

Truth: Aphasia is more common than people think. According to studies, approximately 2 million people in the U.S. are living with aphasia, with nearly 180,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Myth 4: Aphasia Always Affects Speech

Truth: Aphasia can impact different aspects of communication, such as understanding spoken language, reading, or writing. Some individuals with aphasia can speak fluently but struggle to comprehend or vice versa

Myth 5: People with Aphasia Can’t Improve

Truth: With the right treatment, such as speech therapy, individuals with aphasia can make significant improvements. Recovery is often a gradual process, but therapy helps rebuild communication skills over time.

Myth 6: Aphasia Only Happens After a Stroke

Truth: While stroke is the leading cause of aphasia, it can also occur due to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), brain tumors, neurological conditions, or infections like encephalitis.

Myth 7: People with Aphasia Are Always Non-Verbal

Truth: There are different types of aphasia. For instance:

• Broca’s Aphasia: Difficulty speaking but good comprehension.

• Wernicke’s Aphasia: Fluent speech but poor comprehension.
  Not all individuals with aphasia are non-verbal.

Myth 8: Aphasia Doesn’t Impact Relationships

Truth: Aphasia can significantly affect relationships and social interactions. Miscommunication can lead to frustration, but involving loved ones in therapy and providing emotional support can make a big difference.

Myth 9: Technology Can’t Help with Aphasia Recovery

Truth: Technology is transforming aphasia treatment. Apps, gamified therapy platforms, and online speech therapy (like Tellomeet) make therapy accessible and engaging.

Myth 10: Aphasia is Always Permanent

Truth: Many people see improvement with therapy, especially when treatment begins early. While severe cases may not fully resolve, individuals can regain significant communication abilities over time

References:

• National Aphasia Association: aphasia.org

• Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.org

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): asha.org

• Stroke Association: stroke.org