11 Practical tips for living with aphasia
Aphasia Recovery Takes Daily Practice
Every person with aphasia is unique. But if we want to rebuild language—speaking, reading, and writing—it helps to think of recovery as a full-time job, about 30 or 40 hours a week.
Speech Therapy and Home Practice
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are important. They help guide recovery and show how language can improve over time. However, therapy is often only one to two hours per week.
Most practice happens at home. Work on your own. Family, friends and volunteers make a big difference as well.
11 Practical Tips for Living With Aphasia
1. Be proud of small wins.
Small wins matter. Every success counts.
2. Tell people about aphasia.
Explain what aphasia is. If it’s hard to speak:
- use a Situational Wallet Card
- type into the phone
- use a whiteboard
3. Focus on a small success every day.
Do your best you can each day. Relax. Maybe there will be some new progress tomorrow too.
4. Be active. Move ideas from the sick area of your brain to the healthy section.
Neuroplasticity re-wires the brain. It’s amazing! Work on walking, talking, sing music, and play games. Your brain can continue to move from a sick area to the healthy part of the brain for years!There is no time limit on neuroplasticity, and it doesn’t only happen during therapy. Every time you take an extra step, say a new word, or play a game, it will help the brain make new connections.
5. Work, then rest
The brain gets tired.
- Practice.
- Rest.
- Practice again.
- Fatigue may slowly improve.
6. Practice at home
Start with a speech-language Therapist.
Learn exercises you can safely practice every day.
7. Play games
Games help with language, attention, and memory—and they are fun too.
8. Sleep helps healing.
I use 20-minute Deeply Relaxing Sleep Hypnosis mindfulness on Spotify. Free.
9. Keep talking
Conversation takes time, but your brain is still working.
Speak slowly. Take breaks.
10. Write down words, so you don’t forget them
If reading is hard:
- try to read a children’s book
- try adult coloring books
- try short texts, emails, messages or Facebook
11. Find other people with aphasia
- Join National Aphasia Association Virtual Groups
- Join in Aphasia (a Lingraphica community)
- Aphasia Recovery Connections (ARC)
Aphasia Recovery Takes Time. It’s a Long Journey
Aphasia improves slowly—sometimes very slowly.
Recovery can take years and requires consistent practice.
Daily life is practice too:
- cooking
- gardening
- laundry
- shopping
- conversations