Helen GowlandChair Person

Tayside Speakeasy Aphasia Self Help

(affiliated to Speakability)

Laorag HunterSpeech 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 life-long

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

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.

For example

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

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Supporting each other to live well with long-term changes in communication

People with aphasia are not static, they are dynamic

When they are supported to have a purpose, goals and

to feel strong

Harmony

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