Aphasia Can Be A Devastating Communication Challenge by Steve Adubato, Ph.D.

Effectively communicating is hard enough, however, effectively communicating with someone who has a communication disorder is really tough. Consider Aphasia, which is an acquired language disorder caused by brain damage after a stroke, brain tumor or other brain injury. Aphasia severely impacts on a person’s ability to communicate and connect with others in the seemingly simplest of circumstances.

One in every 250 Americans have been affected by Aphasia. (Which includes many in the business world.) That is over 1,000,000 people that have difficulty with language in all forms such as speech, understanding of verbal and written words, reading and writing. Given the prevalence of Aphasia or other disorders that impact on the ability to communicate, consider the following questions.

Q—What are the most effective ways to better communicate with someone who has Aphasia?

A—Probably most important is to speak slowly—Not louder, but slowly. Doing this will help you to be better understood. Speaking slowly also means pausing more between phrases, giving your words a chance to sink in. Most of us are not aware of how fast we speak and how difficult it is for others, particularly those with a communication disorder, to follow. Another effective tool is to repeat and even rephrase your message. This technique of saying the same thing in different ways will also be helpful when dealing with others who don’t have communication disorders. Additional communication techniques include maintaining strong eye contact and reducing and potentially eliminating background noise including turning off the television or radio so that the conversation remains the primary focus.

Q—You’ve described ways to help someone with Aphasia better understand when you are communicating with them. What about the other way around, helping someone with Aphasia more effectively communicate?

A—Be patient. Fight the urge to interrupt. You can also use visual prompts to help a person with Aphasia get their point across. For example, write down some options and allow the person the opportunity to respond by checking off. Pictures communicate in a powerful way. It could be a calendar, family pictures, numbers—anything that allows the Aphasia patient to indicate visually as opposed to verbally what they want to communicate.

Q—Is it useful or productive to anticipate what someone with Aphasia is going to say and in turn finish their sentence?

A—This communication approach may sound innocuous enough, but it is not. It can easily be perceived as condescending and disrespectful. People with Aphasia have lost none of their intellect or their ability to think. What they’ve lost is their ability to communicate what they think. That’s why being patient is so important.

Q—How do the communication tips you offer relate to the world of business?

A—Very directly. Since so many people suffer from Aphasia and other communication disorders, this requires that the rest of us become more aware and empathetic of what is required to communicate and connect more effectively. Assuming that everyone communicates in the same way or that everyone is functioning and performing on the same level just isn’t the case. The truly great leaders communicate to be understood, as opposed to those who simply talk in order to be heard.

However, to achieve this demands that we step out of ourselves and ask what it might be like to be in the shoes of someone who has so much to say and so much to contribute, but is hindered by a disorder through no fault of their own. In order to maximize the contributions of those with Aphasia the first step is to become aware that we all have our own “separate realities” that can potentially create barriers and obstacles to effective communication.

Dr. Steve Adubato coaches and speaks on the subjects of communication and leadership and is the author of the book "Speak from the Heart." Write to him at The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102, or click here to contact him through this web site.