APHASIA

Global Aphasia

By: Chantal Comeau & Radhika Dave

WHAT IS GLOBAL APHASIA?

Aphasia-“An impairment of language that affects the production

or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write”.

Global Aphasia- “When a stroke affects an extensive portion of

the front & back regions of the left hemisphere. Typically those

with Global Aphasia have symptoms of both Wernicke (Temporal

Lobe) & Brocca (Frontal Lobe) Aphasia, which can cause severe

problems with all aspects of communication as they have

difficulty speaking, comprehension & writing”.

SYMPTOMS

Difficulty understanding and forming words & sentences

Difficulty reading and comprehending words & meanings

Paralysis of right side of body

Some lost of vision

Some lost of voluntary control of limbs

Difficulty pronouncing certain sounds & words

Difficulty controlling mouth, tongue & voice box

DIAGNOSIS/ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Doctors/Neuropsychologists

Speech and language evaluation

Brain imaging

Neurological examinations

Treatments with SLP who collaborate with

multi-disciplinary health care team (TR, RN, OT,

PT, PSW)

CASE STUDY

Barbara Letts, aged 58, suffered a stroke and acquired

global aphasia. Her family needing respite brought her

to the Mackenzie Health Adult Day Program in order to

socialize and participate in activities with fellow peers.

She has become frustrated due to her new limitations

therefore a TR has suggested the relaxation and stress

technique, group exercise and sensory stimulation

activity.

INTERVENTIONS/TREATMENT PLANS

Relaxation and Stress Techniques

Sensory stimulation: Arts and Music

Team collaboration: Current Events

Coaching/Facilitating Group Exercise

Games & Activates

EVALUATIONS

Observation (summative & formative)

Formal/Informal interviews with clients

Questionnaires (family members/friends)

Non-standardized/ standardized assessments

conducted 1:1 with clients after sessions

Likert scales(clients with non-fluent aphasia)

TR GUIDELINES

Select the appropriate model to match with the client’s

needs.

Abide by the ethical principles within TRO.

Pay heed to the core values and principles within TR.

Focus on desires, needs and strengths of the client and not

their deficits.

SMART Goals

REFERENCESAmerican speech language and hearing association. (n.d.). Retrieved from

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia/

Aphasia prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thirdage.com/hc/c/

aphasia-preventionAhasiaprevention

Brain and nervous system health center. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://

www.webmd.com/brain/aphasia-causes-symptoms-types-treatments

Diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (ppa). (2013, september 17).

Retrieved from

http://www.brain.northwestern.edu/dementia/ppa/diagnosis.html

Farlex. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.medical-dictonary.thefreedictionary.com/

aphasia

REFERENCESThe national aphasia association. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.aphasia.org/Aphasia Facts/ aphasiafacts.html

Kean, M. (n.d.). Brocca and wernicke's aphasia. Retrieved from www.rohan.sdsu.edu

/~gawron/intro/ course_core/lectures/aphasia_cases_slides.html

Kunstler, R., & Daly, F. (2010). Therapeutic recreation leadership and programming.

United States: Human Kinetics. Retrieved from http://www.humankinetics.com

Post-stroke rehabilitation fact sheet. (2013, june 18). Retrieved from http:/

/www.ninds.nih.gov/ disorders/stroke/poststrokerehab.htm

Therapeutic recreation directory. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/ txsensor.htm

The internet stroke center. (n.d.). Retrieved from

www.strokecenter.org/patients/caregiver-and-patient- resources/aphasia-information/