Hi there,

Last week I shared something on social media that got 475+ likes, 214 saves, and 102 people sent it directly to someone they love.

Maybe you need to hear this, too. ♥️

The word isn't missing. The road to it is blocked.

The good news is that brains can heal. Roads can get cleared. Sometimes new roads get built around the damage.

It can feel hard at first, because these "new roads" start as gravel pathways. Yes, they still get to the word... but the journey is slower. Sometimes you get stuck along the way, or need some help.

But every time you practice a word, you travel that path again. Little by little, you clear the debris, and you pave the street. Over time, it gets just a little bit faster and easier.

You may have been told that recovery has a window. That after a certain point, progress stops.

The research tells a different story: meaningful gains in word finding are possible, even years after a stroke.

Here are some tips that can help with word finding – whether you're the one searching for the words, or the one waiting.

🧠 If you have aphasia

• Try a different route. Describe it, gesture, write the first letter, or draw it. There's no wrong way to get the word out.
• Say a related word. Sometimes a neighbor word opens the door to the one you're looking for.
• Let it go and come back. The word often surfaces when you stop chasing it. Sometimes a short break is exactly what your brain needs.
• Practice high-frequency words daily. The more you travel a path, the stronger it gets.

❤️ For loved ones

• Give them time. Silence can feel uncomfortable, but it gives your loved one space to work.
• Suggest the first sound or letter rather than supplying the whole word. It gives a nudge without taking over. (Only offer a hint if it's helpful – not everyone finds this useful, and that's okay.)
• Don't quiz; narrate instead. "What's this called?" adds pressure. "Oh, you mean the remote?" removes it.
• Follow their lead. If they're pointing, gesturing, or writing the first letter – encourage this and try it yourself! It's important to meet them where they are.

Warmly,
​-Megan

🤫 Psst – Our app sale is coming! If you've been looking for a way to practice word finding at home, this is your moment. Mark your calendar: May 1–15. Starting this Friday, you can get the lowest prices of the year on all Tactus apps, no codes needed.