Promoting Education And Finding Support For National Aphasia Awareness Month

National Aphasia Awareness Month takes place each June, its main purpose being to bring attention to the over two million individuals with aphasia in the US. Aphasia is an acquired, language-based disorder that’s usually caused by injuries to or diseases of the parts of the brain that relate to communication, resulting in difficulties speaking and understanding others. 84.5% of Americans state that they haven’t heard of aphasia before, meaning that the awareness component is core to observances of this month. Below, we’ll explore resources for individuals and their loved ones who have this condition as well as ways others can participate in recognizing this month.

When is National Aphasia Awareness Month? 

Aphasia Awareness Month takes place each June. This month is organized by the National Aphasia Association (NAA). Since aphasia is an acquired disorder usually brought on by injury or illness, it’s a condition that can and does affect all types of people. That also means that adjusting to life with aphasia can be particularly difficult, as it’s not normally a condition an individual has from birth. That’s one of the main reasons this month exists: to provide education, resources, and support to those with aphasia as well as to their caregivers and loved ones. 

How to celebrate National Aphasia Awareness Month in June

There are several ways you can celebrate this June. The National Aphasia Association recommends using the hashtag #aphasiaawareness and posting about the condition on social media to spread the word about aphasia and its symptoms and causes. They also suggest taking part in the following ways:

• Practicing speech activities (if you have aphasia) from the BetterTogether initiative 

• Taking a quiz to learn more about aphasia from the DoTogether initiative 

• Joining the UnderstandTogether aphasia community 

• Advocating for aphasia awareness in your community

• Starting a local fundraiser 

• Wearing a gray aphasia awareness ribbon 

• Checking with the NAA for yearly events and support resources 

• Donating to the NAA for Aphasia Awareness Month through the GiveTogether initiative

Understanding aphasia to better support people with aphasia

Since a large part of this campaign revolves around awareness, it can be helpful to learn a bit more about what aphasia is. Most Americans state that they’ve never heard the term Aphasia before, even though over 2 million people in the United States have Aphasia. The term "aphasia" refers to an impairment in previously held communication abilities. It can impact speech, writing, and sign language abilities. The condition is marked by a loss of or difficulty with verbal speech, and it’s often caused by a traumatic brain injury, disease, or stroke. It may be temporary or permanent. 

There are several types of aphasia, including the following: 

• Fluent aphasia, where the individual can form fluent speech and sentence structure but the sentences lack meaning or are challenging to understand. 

• Wernicke's aphasia, where the individual may struggle to connect meaning with the words they say

• Conduction aphasia, where the individual can comprehend what is being said to them quickly but has difficulty forming sentences themselves

• Broca's aphasia, where the individual is non-fluent—either having some or no ability to speak verbally—but can comprehend language

• Global aphasia, where the individual has trouble with both understanding and forming words and may or may not be able to speak verbally 

Aphasia is more common than multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or muscular dystrophy, all conditions most people have at least heard of. Many aren’t aware of it due to stigma and a lack of education. That’s why educating yourself on this condition and spreading a simple message of awareness can help you support those affected by it within your community. This change immediately impacts the lives of those affected by aphasia by improving information and resources.

How to find or offer support 

There are several ways you can find or offer support this June, including the following. 

Donate to aphasia research

Several organizations contribute to conducting further research on aphasia treatment. Many also provide support and resources, such as communication tools, as well as assistance to caregivers and/or loved ones. If you're interested in donating to or seeking support from organizations like these, you might consider the following options: 

• National Aphasia Association (NAA), is one of the largest aphasia organizations in the US. 

• The Aphasia Network, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting resources, such as their yearly Aphasia Camp Northwest

• The Adler Aphasia Center, a network of New Jersey aphasia support centers that offer resources to their local communities

• Aphasia Re-Connect, is a charity that offers opportunities for those with aphasia to engage with their community and find support groups

Consider volunteer or caregiving work 

Caregiving jobs are in high demand in the US due to a significant population of older adults. Caregiving is sometimes necessary for people with aphasia, as it often coexists with other effects of strokes or brain injuries. Caregiving often does not require a specialized degree. Although it can be challenging work, it’s a field that improves the quality of life for millions of Americans by creating better communications experiences. 

Learn more about neurology and its connection with speech

Understanding more about how speech works may help you understand your condition if you're an individual impacted by aphasia. If you do not have aphasia, you can still research speech to better understand aphasia’s effects on millions worldwide. It can happen to anyone at any stage of life, so being prepared for changes in communication experiences can also be a goal of research. 

Aphasia is typically caused by some form of damage to the language areas of the brain, often as the result of a stroke. Strokes occur when blood clots or vessels in the brain suddenly burst or become cut off from the rest of the neurological system. Brain injuries can also cause damage to these areas. When the temporal lobe is impacted, Wernicke aphasia may result. When the frontal lobe is impacted, Broca’s aphasia may result in no or some ability to speak. 

Discover the science and speech therapy for aphasia

Understanding the science behind aphasia can help people understand the fact that the condition is often treatable. One key aspect of treatment is speech therapy, which focuses on improving communication skills through targeted exercises and techniques. Some individuals can improve their language ability within a few months after brain injury, for instance. Others might never completely regain the ability to communicate as they could in the past. While aphasia recovery may look different for different people, speech therapy, neurological treatment, and mental health counseling may all be part of the treatment plan outlined by an individual’s healthcare provider. During speech or language therapy, someone with aphasia might glean valuable communication tips that help in both personal and professional settings. 

Understand the mental health impacts of aphasia 

Those experiencing aphasia may face mental health challenges for various reasons, including a lack of resources, community, or support. As most individuals are accustomed to using speech to communicate, being unable to speak as other people do or as you once did may feel isolating—especially if you’re still able to comprehend what others say. In some cases, learning about options like sign language, assistive technology, or speech therapy may help reduce these mental health impacts. Seeking mental health counseling, family support, community resources, and informed physicians can also play a role in improving mental health for those with aphasia. 

Obtain resources  

If you are an individual with aphasia, there are a few resources you can take advantage of, including the following: 

• The American Heart and Stroke Association, which offers resources on recovering from a stroke 

• Aphasia Software Finder, a tool to help those with aphasia find software and apps for assistive support 

• The American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASLHA), an organization that offers education and resources to those with speech and language disabilities

• NAA Aphasia Communities, which offers online support groups, communities, and webinars for those impacted by aphasia 

• Support Group Finder, a support-group finder tool to help people connect with others who also have aphasia 

Connect with a counselor 

Finding a therapist can prove challenging for many individuals with aphasia, as communication may be difficult. Caregivers of those with aphasia may also have trouble finding in-person therapists to speak with due to their schedule or other obstacles.

However, these barriers may not remove the attainability of therapy altogether. Many providers are now offering online forms of therapy that can be more available for those who are nonverbal or who could benefit from connecting with a provider from the comfort of home. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, for example, you can connect with a licensed therapist via phone call, video call, or live chat. If you have trouble verbalizing concepts but are able to use assistive technology or type, the chat option may be valuable. 

The benefits of online counseling for mental health and availablity

Studies suggest that online counseling can be as effective as in-person treatment when it comes to mental health issues related to loneliness and isolation, including depression—all of which are complications that both caregivers and individuals with disabilities may experience. If you require accommodations in order to attend therapy, you can note them in the brief questionnaire you’ll be asked to fill out when you sign up. Online therapy may lead to better communication experiences, both in your work life and in your conversations with friends.