How to help someone "get the words out"
Help for Expressive Aphasia: difficulty remembering words while talking or writing
Expressive Aphasia is difficulty with word-retrieval or "thinking of the right word" when speaking or writing. It's as if all the words are still in your head, but you've lost the index, so you can't find those words. Sometimes called word-retrieval difficulty or "word salad".
Video tips on helping someone speak after stroke or brain-injury
Great 4 minute video from a speech therapist.
Tips for Caregivers
- Make sure you have their attention.
- Minimize distractions (TV, radio, other people talking)
- Speak slowly with short, simple sentences.
If it's easier for them to understand you, this leaves more mental capacity for expressing themselves.. - Give them lots of time to answer. Be patient until it's awkward. More about how to be patient.
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Free Speech-Language Treatment Course
Every day is an opportunity for recovery. Don't miss a single day. I'll provide you the tools & knowledge for faster speech & language recovery
- How brain plasticity makes recovery possible even years later.
- Why just-work-harder is a recipe for failure
- The 4 types of Speech-Language Skills,
and how to assess which are affected. - Printable worksheets for home practice
Clay Nichols
Co-founder of MoreSpeech and Bungalow Software that both provide Speech & Language Software
For over 20 years, Clay has helped patients, caregivers and speech pathologists with speech & language software. He shares the tips & tricks he's picked up along the way.
Clay is not a speech pathologist.
But he consults with the speech pathologists he works with (and has them review the blog articles). You should consult your speech therapist regarding any tips you read anywhere, including the Rehab Resources.