Occupational Therapy for Aphasia After a Stroke or Brain Injury

Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate effectively. It can result from brain damage or injury, often caused by a stroke, brain tumor, or head trauma. The severity of aphasia can vary, and it may impact a person's ability to speak, understand language, read, and write. It is very important for people with aphasia to work with a speech language pathologist (SLP) to help them communicate effectively.

But why would a person with aphasia need occupational therapy?

People with aphasia need occupational therapy to help them regain and improve their functional abilities in daily life. We use communication throughout our day. We might communicate with a family member what we would like to eat for dinner, play a game with a friend requiring communication, or ask a question at the grocery store.

Occupational therapy can help people take the skills they are developing in speech therapy and apply them to their everyday lives. This might include writing emails to coworkers, reading a recipe, or making plans with friends.

Occupational therapy is always client centered. If you have aphasia and are seeking occupational therapy, your plan of care will be tailored to your specific needs and goals. The goal of occupational therapy is to help people to do the things they need to do and want to do in their day.