As defined by the National Aphasia Association, "Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that impairs a person's ability to process language, but does not affect intelligence. Aphasia impairs the ability to speak and understand others, and most people with aphasia experienced difficulty reading and writing."

Aphasia affects approximately one million Americans and is typically caused by a stroke, but can also develop through brain or neurological damage, a head injury or a brain tumor. With such a high incidence rate and low public awareness, the need for education is paramount.

Guidelines from the National Aphasia Association on how to communicate with a person who has aphasia:

• Talk to the person with aphasia as an adult and not as a child. Avoid talking down to the person.

• During conversation, minimize or eliminate background noise (e.g., television, radio, other people) whenever possible.

• Make sure you have the person's attention before communicating.

• Praise all attempts to speak; make speaking a pleasant experience and provide stimulating conversation. Encourage and use all modes of communication (speech, writing, drawing, yes/no responses, choices, gestures, eye contact, facial expressions).

• Give them time to talk and permit a reasonable amount of time to respond.

• Accept all communication attempts (speech, gesture, writing, drawing) rather than demanding speech. Downplay errors and avoid frequent criticisms/corrections. Avoid insisting that each word be produced perfectly.

• Keep your own communication simple, but adult. Simplify sentence structure and reduce your own rate of speech. Keep your voice at a normal volume level and emphasize key words.

• Augment speech with gesture and visual aids whenever possible. Repeat a statement when necessary.

• Encourage people with aphasia to be as independent as possible. Avoid being overprotective or speaking for the person except when absolutely necessary. Ask permission to do so.

• Whenever possible, continue normal home activities (e.g., dinner with family, company, going out). Do not shield people with aphasia from family or friends or ignore them in a group conversation. Rather, try to involve them in family decision-making as much as possible keeping them informed of events but not burdening them with day-to-day details.

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