Aphasia Awareness
Developing language skills is critical for children to adequately communicate in our world. When a child (or person of any age) has trouble forming and understanding words, it is typically referred to as aphasia. June is aphasia awareness month and approximately two million people in the United States have aphasia. This statistic is surprising considering how few people know of this disorder. Although children may exhibit symptoms of aphasia during development, it can occur at any point in the lifespan and most frequently occurs in individuals with advanced age.
Language is controlled in the brain. Typically aphasia occurs due to some type of brain injury or issue during development. Head injuries can affect the parts of the brain which process language, creating a disconnect. Other reasons aphasia occurs are related to dementia, brain tumor, stoke, inflammation, or infection. For children, aphasia can occur at any stage of development, including the duration a baby is in utero. When children are diagnosed with aphasia, generally they are able to recover their language abilities. Because the brain is still developing, children may be able to use other parts of the brain to process language and speech rather than the affected or injured area.
As a child learns to communicate both verbally and through written language, it is critical that they feel supported as they develop these skills. Although they may become frustrated with themselves as they try to find the words they are searching for, the practice of searching for those words and finding them will help that skill grow stronger. Loved ones may also become frustrated in conversation and will often finish their sentences or speak for them in an effort to help. While it may create more ease in conversation, it actually hinders their ability to develop this skill on their own. As they progress through life, they will encounter situations when they must rely on their own ability to communicate, so strengthening and developing this skill as a child is key.
In any case of aphasia, a speech-language pathologist can work a child to help them develop their communication and language skills. Contact your healthcare professional if you notice any symptoms of aphasia to take the first step in assessment. Tilton’s Therapy is comprised of a team of highly-skilled speech-language pathologists who work with patients of all ages. As a mobile therapy team, our therapists are able to come to your home and work with your child in the natural environment as opposed to a clinic setting. The natural environment allows our speech therapists to better understand the environment and make specific recommendations that would improve a child’s potential for development. In addition, our team is able to involve the whole family and create a treatment plan that best suits the needs of the individual.
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