Aphasia Ireland Information

Aphasia is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the portions of the brain that are responsible for language. Primary signs of the disorder include difficulty in expressing oneself when speaking, trouble understanding speech, and difficulty with reading and writing. Aphasia has a very considerable impact on a large number of Irish people. The negative effects on our society are largely ignored or underestimated. The fact that up to 3,000 people are diagnosed with this condition each year goes unreported and largely unacknowledged. It is truly the hidden disability. Once sufferers have been treated for the acute symptoms of their brain damage they are discharged back into the community with limited or no services. Many continue to make progress with their linguistic goals but it is apparent that psychosocial support is crucial in helping them adjust to living with long term Aphasia. Group therapy is a most effective way of providing treatment for chronic Aphasia. Aphasia is not a disease, but a symptom of brain damage. Most commonly seen in adults who have suffered a stroke, aphasia can also result from a brain tumour, infection, head injury, or dementia that damages the brain. It is estimated that about 50,000 people in Ireland today suffer from Aphasia.