Most people have never heard the word "aphasia" until it impacts their life directly.

Unfortunately, the less the world understands aphasia, the harder daily life is for the people living with it.

June is Aphasia Awareness Month. This month, let's help raise awareness and advocate for communication access for all. ♥️

🧠 By the numbers

Approximately 1 in 3 stroke survivors develops aphasia.

Aphasia affects more people than Parkinson's or Multiple Sclerosis.

Aphasia affects over 2.5 million Americans – and far more worldwide.

In a study of 66k+ people across 75 diseases and conditions, aphasia ranked #1 for the biggest impact on quality of life.

💬 What aphasia is – and isn't

There are a few common myths about aphasia. Let's set the facts straight:

❌ Difficulty speaking means difficulty thinking.
✅ Aphasia affects language – not intelligence. The ideas are still there, but aphasia makes it more difficult to communicate them.

❌ Aphasia only affects speaking.
✅ Aphasia affects speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Each of these challenges can range from mild to severe. Every person with aphasia is different.
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❌ Recovery stops after the first few months.
✅ Research shows that language and communication can continue to improve, even years after onset. Practice makes progress!

👉 Read the full article: 10 Aphasia Myths – Busted​

♥️ It goes far beyond communication

Research shows that nearly 1 in 3 people with aphasia experience depression – and that figure is likely a huge underestimate, since depression screening tools rely on the very language skills that aphasia affects.

Difficulty with communication is incredibly isolating. And it doesn't stop at the person with aphasia.

Care partners and family members are also navigating a relationship that looks different than it did before, a condition most of their friends have never heard of, and a system that wasn't built to support them.

That's why everybody impacted by aphasia needs support, community, and resources.

🫶 If you're struggling, read more about Emotional + Mental Health from the National Aphasia Association.

🌈 Aphasia exists on a spectrum

Aphasia exists on a spectrum, and it's different for everybody.
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Some people understand very well, but they struggle to say even one word. Others can read but not write, or speak but not understand.
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​Motivation, support, fatigue, and confidence also play important roles. Sometimes it can be helpful to think of aphasia as a set of sliders that can change throughout recovery – and even throughout a single day.

Whether you're in the middle of recovery, supporting a loved one, or a healthcare professional spreading awareness, you're not alone. ♥️

Let's keep learning, sharing, and raising awareness together.

All the best,
​-Megan

P.S. The global aphasia community has come together across 40 countries to co-design the first unified public awareness campaign for aphasia. This is a really cool opportunity to help raise awareness and amplify voices that deserve to be heard. If you want to help with this, you can contribute to the campaign →​