July 7, 2025June was Aphasia Awareness Month, a time dedicated to acknowledging and understanding aphasia – an often-misunderstood condition that affects thousands of Australians and their families.
At Northern Health, the Speech Pathology department is working to raise awareness and provide support to people living with aphasia across the continuum of care.
Aphasia is an acquired language disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language centres, often from stroke, brain injury, tumours or dementia. It affects how people understand, speak, read and write, but not their intelligence.
Aphasia varies greatly, and while some patients struggle to find words, others may lose almost all spoken language. These communication changes can deeply impact daily life, relationships, work, confidence and mental health. People with aphasia are also more likely to experience depression and anxiety than others recovering from stroke.
At Northern Health, speech pathologists play a vital role in supporting people with aphasia — from acute hospital care, to rehabilitation, and within community therapy services. Their goal is to improve communication success and enhance participation in life.
One of the initiatives during this year’s Aphasia Awareness Month was inspired by the Australian Aphasia Association, which has encouraged people to choose a word or phrase that reflects their experience or understanding of aphasia. For the Speech Pathology team at Northern Health, words like “hidden”, “isolating”, and the phrase “knowing more than I can say” have resonated deeply.
All healthcare staff may encounter patients with aphasia. Knowing how to support better communication can significantly improve patient care. Here are some top tips to help:
- Find a quiet space free of distractions
- Be patient
- Give the person time to understand and respond
- Use yes/no questions
- Check for understanding
- Pay attention to tone, body language, and facial expressions
- Encourage other communication methods — writing, pointing, drawing, or gestures
Emily McLauchlan, Speech Pathologist with the Community Therapy Service at Broadmeadows Hospital, compares communication support to physical access and says, “just as ramps open doors for people who use wheelchairs, communication strategies are vital “ramps” for people with aphasia. When those around them understand their challenges and use the right tools, it allows them to share information, stay connected, be part of their community, and take charge of their healthcare.”
She also outlines what makes a good communication partner, “a great communication partner for someone with aphasia recognises that the person knows more than they can express, understands that all forms of communication are valid and adapts flexibly between them. They focus on the meaning and connection, not on perfect words.”
Meggan Barratt, Speech Pathologist on the Rehabilitation Ward at Broadmeadows Hospital, highlights the collaborative nature of communication.
“I’ve learnt that successful conversations are a two-way street. It isn’t about what we sound like or the way the message is delivered, it is about working together to find what works best for each individual with aphasia.”
By raising awareness and promoting inclusive communication, we can reduce the isolation people with aphasia often feel. The more we understand, the better we can support them, in healthcare and throughout the community
For more information about Aphasia, click here.
Pictured in featured image: The Speech Pathology team at Broadmeadows Hospital.
