Caring for a Person with Aphasia

Aphasia is the loss or reduction of the ability to speak, read, write, understand or calculate. If you or someone you know has aphasia, share this list with family and friends to help them better understand how to communicate with you.

I WILL

I WILL… Encourage the person to speak and praise all efforts Promote and encourage independence.
I WILL… Give the person every opportunity to express him or herself.
I WILL… Speak in short, simple sentences, using a natural voice and a slow rate of speech.
  Practice speech exercises during short sessions in the home.
I WILL… Carefully place yourself and all objects within the person’s visual range, if there is a cut in the person’s visual field.

I WILL NOT

I WILL NOT Force the person to speak.
I WILL NOT Speak for the person unless absolutely necessary.
I WILL NOT Interrupt the person when he or she is speaking.
I WILL NOT Anticipate the person’s every need.
I WILL NOT Talk about the person in his or her presence; lack of speech does not mean lack of comprehension or lack of intelligence.


Reprinted from the Stroke Connection Magazine May-June 1996 issue.

American Stroke Association - A Division of American Heart Association

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