5. Writing Difficulties – The Unseen Struggle in Expressive Aphasia
When considering Expressive Aphasia, it’s common to focus predominantly on speech issues. However, writing difficulties are also a significant symptom, often causing profound effects on individuals’ ability to communicate effectively.
The process of writing entails a lot more than just penning down words. It’s a complex interplay of cognitive functions – from conceptualizing ideas to figuring out syntax, spelling, punctuation, and then successfully coordinating motor functions to physically write or type.
Expressive Aphasia often leads to a significant disruption in this intricate process. The struggles can range from problems with spelling or forming letters to broader issues such as organizing thoughts coherently on paper, structuring sentences, or maintaining a logical flow in the writing. For someone affected by this disorder, writing a simple sentence or filling out a form can become a daunting task.
Consider, for instance, writing an email – a task most people perform without much thought. The individual first has to figure out what they want to convey. Next, they have to retrieve appropriate words, put them together in a sentence, abide by grammar rules, use correct punctuation, and finally type the message. Each of these steps, which seem straightforward to a healthy brain, can be a stumbling block for a person with Expressive Aphasia.
This difficulty with written communication can significantly limit a person’s daily activities. In today’s world, where much of our interaction happens through written communication like text messages, emails, or social media, these struggles can amplify feelings of frustration and isolation. It might affect their personal relationships, where a simple loving text message becomes a challenge, or their professional life, where sending an email might take an unusually long time.
However, it’s important to remember that each person’s journey with Expressive Aphasia is different. While some people might have profound difficulty with writing, others might find strategies to compensate.
For instance, using simpler sentences, relying more on spoken communication, or using speech-to-text technology are all potential workarounds. Speech and language therapists can also provide valuable guidance and techniques to improve written communication over time. (5)
