Aphasia

(a.k.a. dysphasia) is a disorder that results from damage to the language centres of the brain (typically on the left side of the brain). This damage is generally the result of a stroke, but can also be caused by gun shot wounds, tumours, and other forms of brain injury/damage. Some people with aphasia have problems understanding what is being said (receptive language), while others have difficulty producing speech (expressive language); some have difficulty in both aspects of language. There may also be impairments in reading and writing. Word finding problems are common in individuals with aphasia; individuals experience of the feeling of having a word “on the tip of the tongue” but not being able to remember it. Individuals with aphasia may speak only in single words, omit smaller words (e.g. “the” or “of”), put words in the wrong order, use incorrect grammar, or switch sounds and words (e.g. calling a “bed” a “table”, or saying “wish dasher” for “dish washer”). Individuals may string together “made up” words that make no sense to the listener. The person with aphasia may also find it difficult to understand more subtle aspects of language (e.g. not understanding expressions like “it’s raining cats and dogs”, understanding sarcasm or humour).

The following is a link to wording-finding (category-naming) photos:  http://gallery.mac.com/heaman/100008