Word finding group

You have been invited to join our online communication group.

These sessions will help you to:

• Understand aphasia (language difficulties).
• Learn strategies to support your communication
• Practice strategies with a speech therapist and other stroke survivors
• Share experiences and gain support and support others. 

The sessions will take place on a Tuesday between 10:30-11:30am. You can join us for up to 6 sessions. If you are unable to attend one week, feel free to join us again the week after.

You will need access to Microsoft Teams. You will be sent your teams link via email. If you have trouble joining, please call:

• North office: 01527 488188
• South office: 01386 502355 

Please read the information in this booklet before attending. We will recap it in at the start of each session. The rest of the session will allow you to practice what you have learned.

Introduction

Many people have communication difficulties after a stroke. This leaflet will help you understand a condition called ‘aphasia’.

What is aphasia

Aphasia is often caused by damage to the left side of the brain. It affects the language centre in your brain.

Aphasia can make it difficult for someone to speak, understand people, read and/or write. It does not damage intelligence or hearing.

Every person with aphasia is different. You may find that you:

• Have difficulties understanding people.
• Struggle to find your words.
• Accidently say the wrong word (saying “milk” instead of “water”, or “yes” instead of “no”).
• Mix up the sounds within words.
• Miss out words or get them in the wrong order.
• ‘Get stuck’ on a word and repeat yourself.
• Struggle to understand what you read.
• Make spelling errors in your writing.

Aphasia can be very confusing and frustrating for you and your family and friends. Please be patient with yourself. If you get too frustrated, try coming back to the topic later.

Word finding strategies

There are many strategies you can use when can’t find your words. You may find some of these more useful than others. Practice them all so you can learn which ones work best for you. You may find that you need to use a combination of them.

Delay

Just give it a second or two. With a bit of extra time, the word may pop out on its own. Be patient with yourself, and ask your partner to give you time.

“Do you have any… um… oh… one sec… any scissors?”

Describe

Give the listener information about what the thing looks like or does. Any extra information can help them know what you’re talking about. It may even help you to say the word.

“Do you have any… oh dear, those things that cut? Scissors!”

Association

See if you can think of something related. Even if it’s not quite right, it may prompt the word or convey the meaning.

“Do you have any… ah my… they’re not knives, but like that?”

Synonyms

Think of a word that means the same or something similar.

“Do you have any…clippers?”

First letter

Try to write or think of the first letter of the word. Scan the alphabet to see if each letter triggers anything for you.

“Do you have any… (traces an S in the air)… scissors?”

Gesture

Use your hands or body to act out the word, like playing a game of charades. Even gesturing with your hands in a non-specific way or tapping the table may help activate the brain.

“Do you have any… (makes cutting gesture with fingers)?”

Draw

Sketch out a quick picture of what you’re trying to say. You don’t have to be an artist to use drawing to communicate.

“Do you have any… (draws scissors on a notepad)?”

Look it up

Think if there’s somewhere the word is written down or pictured. A communication notebook, the Contacts app in your phone, or a ticket stub in your pocket may hold the word.

“Do you have any… (points to scissors in a picture dictionary)?”

Narrow it down

Give the general topic or category. Is it a person, place, or thing? A family member or a friend? Stating the topic can help your listener predict what you might be trying to say by providing some context.

“Do you have any…oh…they’re office supplies.”

Come back later

If you can’t think of the word and your partner can’t guess, it’s okay to give up for now. Our brains work out problems while we do other things, so it’s possible the word will simply pop out later. This is a last resort, so try the other strategies first.

How can other people help me?

• Remove distractions/background noise.
• Be patient and allow the person plenty of time to express him/herself and to understand you.
• Use short, simple sentences and lots of pauses, e.g. Instead of “we're going to have some lunch in the cafe after going for a walk”, say “We’re going for a walk (pause). Then we’re going to have lunch”.
• Keep to one topic at a time.
• Use gesture, drawing, writing to help get your message across.
• If either of you are becoming frustrated, stop the conversation and come back to it later.
• Do not to pretend to understand; let the person know when you do not understand.