Published in 2015. Some details may be out of date. See the latest news.
Aphasia is defined by the NHS as a condition that affects the brain and leads to problems using language correctly. The condition is a result of damage to parts of the brain due to causes such as a stroke, severe head injury, or brain tumours, for example.
Aphasia is perhaps not often thought of as a widespread problem by many people. However, in reality, aphasia affects more than two million Americans and it is thought that more than 376, 000 stroke survivors in the UK are living with aphasia. These figures make the condition more common than Parkinson’s disease, ALS, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
Despite the widespread nature of aphasia, it’s rarely discussed in comparison to some other conditions. At the same time, care options for people with aphasia go widely unrecognised. This is where the New Jersey has stepped in. With the aim to make a change, Governor Chris Christie and the state Legislature have founded the New Jersey Aphasia Study Commission. The mission is to better understand the aphasia and help raise awareness of the condition.
Read more details on the New Jersey Aphasia Study Commission here, with details and discussion on the matter as well as some words from Nancy Mamis-King, a sufferer of aphasia.
Find out more about aphasia here on the NHS website – it’s causes, complications and treatment options.
Here you can check out some apps that have been recommended by the National Aphasia Association as alternative means of communication.
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