Aphasia
What is it?
Aphasia, (pronounced a-faze-yuh) is a language difficulty caused by an injury to the brain (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012.) People with Aphasia are competent and intelligent, however they can have difficulty speaking, reading, writing and understanding others. The severity of this condition can vary depending on the location and size of the brain injury (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012).
At this stage there are no medications or therapies which exist to cure this condition (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012). People with Aphasia work alongside Speech Therapists to help them relearn communication skills, as well as find alternative ways to communicate (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012). Recovery is quickest in the first six months after a stroke or neurological disturbance, however the recovery process continues for many years after (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012).
How does it occur?
Aphasia is caused by strokes and other neurological disorders which affect the language and communication centres of the brain (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012). Some include tumours, aneurysms, head injuries and infections. Aphasia as a result of stroke is more likely to happen to people aged 30 and over, however it is known to happen to children as young as 10 years old.
Characteristics
People who suffer from this disorder can struggle to undertake many practical tasks. Aphasia affects the language centre of the brain so simple things that we say and do can become difficult for a person with Aphasia to do.
Some include:
· Talking to friends and family
· Asking questions
· Talking to a doctor
· Making a phone call
· Making appointments
· Participating in group discussions
· Buying tickets and using public transport
Many people with Aphasia find it difficult to adjust to normal life, as their intelligence and ability to communicate is masked (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012) by the injury acquired to their brain. People with Aphasia have been likened to being in a foreign country and not being able to communicate with people because of the language barrier (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012). The same frustration applies to those with Aphasia as they are unable to effectively communicate and get their views across.
Teaching Strategies and Inclusion
Communication is an important function in our day to lives (Bartles-Tobin, 2010); however communication does not entirely consist of only speech. There are many ways of alternatively communicating to a person with Aphasia both in and out of a classroom. Strategies can be implemented to make both speaking and listening easier for people with Aphasia (Barltes-Tobin, 2010).
Tips for communicating with someone with Aphasia include: / Tips for Gaining understanding include:· Asking questions that require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer
· Encourage the person to point and what they want
· Encourage the use of drawing writing to show what they are thinking
· Repeat back what you have understood
· Acknowledge and enforce that they are a highly competent person / · Maintain eye contact
· Reduce background noise
· Use short, simple sentences
· Use a normal adult voice
· Write down words
· Be specific
· Don’t jump from topic to topic. Allow time for processing
· Emphasise key words in sentences.
For example language alternatives and multi model forms of communication such as gestures and pointing to make the information of speech quick and easy as well as reduce the amount of frustration from both parties (Bartles-Tobin, 2010).
In maintaining understanding and communication, it is important to stay patient and speak to the person as though they are the same as everyone else. It is important to take the time to listen to what they have to say and focus on them directly, this is crucial in helping the person to stay optimistic (Australian Aphasia Association, 2012) and feel as though they are a part of the group.
In a school setting is crucial that students with Aphasia feel comfortable and are not alienated. The above tips as well as a comfortable secure learning environment will allow students suffering with this disorder to feel a part of the school environment. Aphasia suffers can find it difficult to adjust to life after damage to their brain occurs. Adjusting to a new way of learning and communicating within a classroom setting may create some anxiety to a person with Aphasia, therefore is important that they treated equally and are able to get their views across like all students.
Applications to use in the classroom
In 2011, company Lingraphica announced the release of four new applications available on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch designed specifically for people with Aphasia (Aphasia Hope Foundation, 2012). These applications add to a range of apps called small talk. Each app is designed for a different communication solution and can be used in the classroom to solve language barriers. The four new additions include:
Small Talk Conversational Phrases – This includes words, phrases, responses, requests and statements about well-being.
Small Talk Daily Activities – This includes words and phrases related to activities in daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming and leisure.
Small Talk Pain Scale – This application includes pain descriptions, images and a pain scale to identify how they are feeling.
Small Talk Intensive Care - These include words and phrases that patients can use to communicate with medical staff.
These are just a few of the Applications that Lingraphica provide. All Lingraphica applications are free from the Apple Apps store. All of these applications are useful in the classroom for the person with aphasia as well as for the teacher and peers. They can be used to aid all areas of communication within the classroom.
With advancements in technology and the accessibility to Apple products in primary schools, these applications are a powerful tool in aiding people with Aphasia to communicate with others.
Relevant Links and Resources
· Lingraphica – The AphasiaCompany
http://www.aphasia.com/slp/index / Lingraphica are a company which design devices which enable Aphasia sufferers to generate speech.
All Lingraphica devices are covered by Medicare and many private and government insurance plans. Lingraphica applications are free through the Apple Apps store.
· Aphasia Now
http://www.aphasianow.org/Resources/ / Aphasia Now is website that provides information and resources to help people with Aphasia become independent and lead a healthy life. This website provides the following resources:
· Aphasia counselling
· Alternative therapies
· Communications guides
· Aphasia software and computers
· Stroke reading service
· The Australian Aphasia Association
http://www.aphasia.org.au/ / The Australian Aphasia Association is a National site which provides resources to support Aphasia sufferers and their families Australia wide. This association is a support and advocate for people with Aphasia and their families. People with Aphasia are directly involved with the association and participate in the activities of the association.
· Stroke Association of Victoria
http://www.strokeassociation.com.au / The Stroke Association of Victoria is a non for profit organisation that provide a range of support and information services for people who have been affected by stroke, their families and carers.
· National Stroke Foundation Australia
http://www.strokefoundation.com.au / The National Stroke Foundation provides information for the public about the risk factors and signs of stroke by promoting healthy life styles and education about the life impacts of stoke on a person’s mental, physical and social health. The stroke foundation encourages and promotes the education of people about the risk of stroke and resources to help prevention.
References
· Aphasia Hope foundation (2012). Temple Research Finds An ADHD Drug Could Help Individuals With Aphasia Regain Language Abilities. Retrieved on 24/03/2012 at:
http://www.aphasiahope.org/category/research/articles/
· Aphasia Hope Foundation (2012). Four New Apps Join the SmallTalk Family. Retrieved on 24/03/12 at:
http://www.aphasiahope.org/category/resources/treatments/
· Australian Aphasia Association (2011). Brochure about Aphasia. Retrieved on 21/03/2012 at:
http://www.aphasia.org.au/uploads/documents/resources/postersbrochures/AphasiaBrochure.pdf
· Australian Aphasia Association (2011). Angela Thomas – My Story. Retrieved on 21/03/2012 at:
http://www.aphasia.org.au/uploads/documents/about/aphasia%20stories/angelaT.pdf
· CCRE Aphasia (2012). ‘Boring’ or ‘interesting’: How do we process adjectives after brain damage? Retrieved on 24/03/2012 at:
http://www.ccreaphasia.org.au/Aboutusandourprojects/Ourresearchprojects.aspx
· Dr. Barltes- Tobin (2010). Improving Communication. Retrieved on 24/.3/2012 at:
http://aphasiainfo.blogspot.com.au
· National Aphasia Association (2009). My goals. Retrieved on 21/03/2012 at:
http://www.aphasia.org./aphasia_community/in_their_own_words.html