Aphasia Roadmap to Recovery

• Brain Trauma: While stroke is the primary form of trauma leading to the acquisition of aphasia, other types of sever brain injury can trigger the onset of this common language disorder
• Step 1: Spontaneous Recovery occurs as the body begins to heal itself; family and friends gather information about aphasia and to learn new communication skills and strategies
• Step 2: Rehabilitation begins - Person with aphasia works with Speech Pathologist to regain speaking, reading and word recognition skills, while family and friends improve their caregiving skills and employ new communication skills and strategies
• Step 3: Group interaction key - Person with aphasia is ideally involved with group activity and socialization to encourage further recovery; family and friends encourage and participate in support groups and group activities
• Step 4: The importance of volunteerism - Person with aphasia can consider volunteering and mentoring at aphasia support groups to improve their skills and those of others, while serving as a motivator and mentor.

Sources:
Adler Aphasia Center, National Aphasia Association, National Stroke Association, National Heart Association