Focus on a review of aphasia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Focus on a review of aphasia - Essay Example This paper will focus on a review of aphasia, which can be more explicitly defined as the loss or impairment of the ability to use or comprehend words due to brain damage (Banich, 2004; Carroll, 2004). Some of those who experience aphasia are predominantly affected in the expressive language (what is said) whilst others are predominantly affected in their receptive language (what is understood), other people who experience aphasia have both expressive and receptive language dysfunction. In general, language disability occurs in the form of talking and understanding and also in reading and writing. The extent of the dysfunction and the nature of the problems a person will experience are dependant on numerous psychosocial and environmental factors, as well as the amount and location of damage in the brain. Obviously this presents numerous communication difficulties for those who experience aphasia, and subsequently affects their ability to fully contribute and integrate with the wider community. Firstly, a review of aphasia aetiology will be given. Secondly, the incidence of the language impairment will be presented. Finally, patterns of the deficit will be highlighted, followed by aphasias theoretical significance and prognosis with respect to intervention. Aphasia is a specific language impairment that results from brain damage at the language centers (Brocas or Wernicks areas for example) (Harley, 2001). For most right-handers and about half the population of left-handers, when damage occurs to the left side of the brain aphasia can occur.