Question
My dad had a massive left-brain stroke 3 years ago. After the initial confusion, and with some speech therapy, he settled into a yes/no form of communication that mostly works for all of us at this point. Occasionally, he'll still try to say more, but after 4 halting words, he can't get any further, so for the most part he doesn't try anymore. Its kind of sad to not be able to communicate the more abstract things that he'd like to connect on. He was left with the use of his left hand, but being right-handed before, it's hard for him to write, peck out keys on the keyboard, etc. and, anyway, the speech center of his brain screws it up when he tries. For any others with experience of aphasia, what strategies have you employed to communicating?
— Son in CA
Answer
Expert James Castle is a neurologist at Stanford University and an expert on strokes.
Unfortunately, if your father's stroke was 3 years ago, there's little chance of any major improvement in his symptoms. Therefore, you'll have to make the most of his current skill level. In broad terms, it may be best to think of aphasia as encompassing two separate elements: the ability to understand, and the ability to speak or write. It sounds like your father is having more difficulty speaking and writing. In some ways, this is fortunate, because the inability to understand is more troublesome.
Given what you've said above, I think the next step would be to have him evaluated by a good speech therapist. A speech therapist specializing in stroke (available at many rehabilitation centers) should help tailor a communication method for your father that allows him to maximize his skills. This includes using tools such as a message board, which would allow him to communicate substantially more information than trying to write or type out his thoughts. For example, it's much easier to point to an icon that indicates, "I would like to go to the movies" than it is to type this information out. If you can't afford a therapist, you can create a board at home with pictures that he can point to, allowing him to convey many common phrases.
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Daughter in CA answered:
My mom had a stroke in April of this year. She is 82. She lost the use of her right side and her speech. She is now walking without help but cannot use her right arm/hand very well. She still cannot speak except to say an occasional word. I don't know where you are in CA but my mom goes to the Aphasia Center in Oakland. She likes it andthere are lots of people who encourage her with their own testimonials of recovery. http://www.aphasiacenter.org/ If you can't get there the website might have some good information. My mom is also using a Lingraphica - a device for people with aphasia. It does not seem to be exactly what she needs but it might be a help to your dad. I was just seaching for a talking dictionary, or some sort of thing, when I came across your blog. My mom likes using a dictionary to find the words she wants but it takes a bit of time. Good luck to you and your dad.
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