Dr. Jackson reports that about 20 percent of persons hospitalized following a stroke show signs of aphasia. Language disorders are most likely to occur following strokes on the left side of the brain. Language disorders can range from mild difficulty in finding the correct word to the complete inability to speak. A stroke can also lessen the ability to understand language. The location and severity of the stroke can result in different side-effects.
Strokes can affect the ability to speak, write, listen and read.
There are many types of language disorders that can result from a stroke. Some persons are left with problems comprehending what is said to them, others have trouble expressing themselves orally or in writing, or both. The person affected by the stroke and the family will find that patience is an important part of coping with language disorders. Other important factors are attitude, effort, support, creativity, and Father Time. Remember that your goal is to communicate with the person recovering from a stroke.