We have certainly become more skilled in identifying aphasic disorders and developing compensatory strategies for the person with aphasia. The skills that have been developed are very creative including new ways of introducing language use to the person with aphasia and new ways of helping them circumvent their disability through other means. Also, of computers and specialized software have become commonplace as practice tools. If a person goes to one of the well-known aphasia centers for an evaluation they will probably come up with helpful suggestions. Group therapy is being used a great deal.
Some patients can make use of alternative means of communication.
It is not necessarily a question of how long it's been since a person acquired aphasia. People with aphasia improve almost indefinitely. A good evaluation from someone specialized in aphasia is probably the best way to find help. The diagnosis is made by listening and observing behaviors and by asking the patient to perform specially designed language tests which help to reveal the aphasic impairment. Aphasia is a language impairment.