Imagine trying to catch a bus, but you're unsure if it leaves at 3:15 or 5:13. Or picture being at the store and not knowing if you’re handing over $5 or $50. 😕🔢 Numbers are more than just symbols—they guide our daily lives. For those recovering from a stroke or brain injury, losing the ability to understand or communicate numbers can feel like losing a lifeline.

💡🧠 But with the right support, these skills can be rebuilt, helping people regain independence.

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How aphasia impacts numbers

One of the most challenging aspects of numbers for people with aphasia is transcoding. This means processing and understanding numbers in different formats—like reading digits (13), hearing number words (“thirteen”), or writing out numbers (thirteen). Just like language, numerical communication comes with its own set of rules and variations (e.g., time as 4:13 PM, money as $4.13, or dates as 4/13).

The inability to manage numbers can cause significant challenges in daily life—missing an appointment by confusing one number or miscalculating a payment can cause real stress and frustration.

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How speech therapy can help

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help people with aphasia improve their ability to communicate and understand numbers. They determine where breakdowns in number processing occur and design a treatment program to work on those skills.

Therapy typically starts with more simple activities (e.g., listening to a number and matching it) and progresses to more complex number tasks (e.g., saying the year "nineteen-seventy-one"). Regular, repetitive practice, especially at home, is crucial to get the required intensity to change the brain when therapy time is limited.

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Try the Tactus Number Therapy app

To support number transcoding, Tactus developed the Number Therapy app. It offers visual and auditory cues to help users understand the rules of how to say, type, or recognize numbers, from simple to more difficult levels.

The Number Therapy app allows users to choose what to practice from a variety of everyday numbers, including years, dates, phone numbers, money, or time. Watch this video to learn more.

Get started with Number Therapy

Recovery from stroke or brain injury takes time, and we’re here to help. The Number Therapy app can support your recovery journey. Try the Lite version for FREE to see how it works. 🎉

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Helpful strategies when communicating numbers

Here are some strategies you can try to help communicate numbers:

• Gesture: Trace digits in the air.
• Use automatic speech: Count up from 1 to your target number.
• Write it down: Write the number on paper or ask someone to do it for you.
• Use a visual aid: Point to numbers on a list or communication board to show the number you mean (e.g., point to 50 and then 1 for "51").

Whether you’re recovering or supporting a loved one through recovery, your effort makes a difference—and we’re cheering you on every step of the way! Keep going!

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Warmly,

Megan

P.S. Did you know Tactus offers FREE lite versions of our apps? Try the Lite version of Number Therapy and start practicing numbers today!