Language Rewired - Understanding Aphasia and Communication Access Post-Stroke

“I know what I want to say. I just can’t get the words out.”

For many stroke survivors, that sentence captures the daily frustration of living with aphasia, a communication disorder that can make speaking, reading, writing, or understanding language feel like climbing a mountain with no map.

In this post, part of 3.14 Academy’s Stroke-Induced Neurodivergence series, we explore how strokes affect language, what aphasia really is, and how we can make communication more accessible for everyone.

What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a language disorder caused by damage to the language centers of the brain, most commonly from a stroke. It does not affect intelligence. A person with aphasia still has thoughts, ideas, and feelings, they just have trouble expressing or understanding them.

Depending on the area and severity of the stroke, aphasia may affect:

- Speaking (word-finding, sentence construction)

- Understanding spoken language

- Reading (recognizing and interpreting words)

- Writing (spelling, forming words or sentences)

There are many types, including Broca’s aphasia (non-fluent), Wernicke’s aphasia (fluent but nonsensical speech), and global aphasia (severe impairment in multiple language areas).

Language Rewired, Not Lost

Recovery from aphasia is not linear—and it's rarely complete. That’s where a neurodiversity-affirming lens becomes powerful. Rather than expecting someone to return to their “pre-stroke self,” we can respect the way their brain communicates now. This means embracing alternative methods, pacing conversations more slowly, and seeing communication as a shared responsibility—not a test.

Communication Access: What It Means

Just like we install ramps for wheelchairs, we must build communication ramps for those with aphasia. This is called communication access—the right to understand and be understood in all environments.

Strategies include:

- Visual aids (photos, icons, written words)

- Yes/No cards or rating scales

- AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) apps or devices

- Trained communication partners who slow down, repeat, and check for understanding

- Plain language signs and written materials

The Emotional Toll

Living with aphasia can be isolating. It affects relationships, employment, identity, and self-esteem. People may withdraw or be mistaken for being cognitively impaired. That’s why creating inclusive, affirming environments is just as important as speech therapy. Caregivers, friends, employers, and even strangers can make a difference by:

- Being patient

- Not pretending to understand

- Asking, “How can I best support your communication?”

What You Can Do Today

- Watch a short training: “Supported Communication 101” (Coming soon from 3.14 Academy)

- Use visual prompts when talking to someone with aphasia

- Avoid finishing sentences—even when you think you know the word

- Speak in short, clear phrases and pause between ideas

- Advocate for communication access in healthcare, workplaces, and public spaces

Language is more than words—it’s connection.

Let’s build a world where stroke survivors are heard, understood, and fully included—no matter how they express themselves.