Yet, with therapy, these remaining abilities can be improved and used to return to productive living. When aphasia persists, complete recovery is most likely for people with mild aphasia. For others, improvement will be most marked during the first six or 12 months, but will likely occur if the individual continues to participate in therapy and or independent practice. It has been shown in the literature that individuals who experience a high level of social support are most likely to make more improvements in their ability level and at a faster rate. This support is particularly important for people with aphasia, since they will experience more social isolation than individuals without communication impairment.
Social isolation can lead to depression, even years after the onset of stroke and aphasia.
Consequently, continued personal support is an important factor in the ultimate productivity and happiness of the individual. Very few individuals with chronic aphasia will return to the same job or the same level position. Exceptions to this are cases in which the person is self-employed or in a position in which they can make adjustments to the work place. It has been reported in the literature that people who are motivated to return to gainful employment, and are willing to make adaptions or accommodations, can go back to work regardless of severity of aphasia. For most people, this process takes two or three years.