Aphasia (also refered to as dysphasia) is a disorder of language, where a person's ability to use language to communicate is impaired in some way. Language functions which may be affected include talking, understanding, listening, writing, or doing mathematical calculations. Aphasia may occur after a brain injury (e.g. stroke), particularly if the brain injury affects the left side of the brain.


Expressive Aphasia
Expressive aphasia is a difficulty in putting words together to form a meaningful message. This may include such difficulties as: trouble thinking of specific words and names, difficulty putting words together into a sentence to describe ideas or thoughts, tending to repeat words, saying words that do not make sense, and difficulty writing words and sentences. The severity of these difficulties varies considerably for each person.


Receptive Aphasia
Receptive aphasia is a difficulty in comprehension of language, where the person cannot attach meaning to incoming words they hear or read. This difficulty can be especially noticable if a person is tired, or when the conversation is complex.