stroke.org.

uk

A complete guide to

Communication
problems after
stroke
 Problems with communication are common after
stroke. This guide will help you understand more
about them.

It explains why you may not be able to communicate

properly after your stroke and how speech and
language therapy can help. It also tells you what can do
about communication problems and has tips to help
other people support you.

It’s aimed at people who have had a stroke but there is

information for family and friends as well.

We have information on all aspects of stroke.

If you have a question that is not answered in this
guide visit stroke.org.uk or call our Stroke Helpline
on 0303 3033 100.

2 Communication problems after stroke

What’s in this guide?

Why can’t I communicate properly? 5

What kinds of problems can this cause? 5

Aphasia 5

Problems with reading and writing 6

Dysarthria 6

Apraxia of speech 6

Will it get better? 7

Are there treatments that can help? 8

Speech and language therapy 8

Are there aids or equipment that can help? 12

Communication cards and passports 12

Charts and books 13

Electronic aids 14

Apps and computer programmes 14

What can I do about my speaking problems? 15

Where can I get help and support? 16

How we can help 16

Other organisations that can help 16

Tips for family and friends 18

A guide to good conversations 19

Communication problems after stroke 3

Why can’t I communicate properly?

Communication problems happen because Communication isn’t just about speaking,

a stroke damages your brain. however. Many people also have problems
with reading and writing.
When we communicate our brain has to
complete a series of tasks. So when you’re
talking to someone and they ask you a Communication problems do not affect
question, for example, your brain has to your intelligence
understand what you are being asked, decide If you have communication problems you
on your answer and put the words together, simply have problems with the process of
before you can give them a reply. speaking and sometimes understanding
language. It has nothing to do with
Different parts of your brain are responsible intelligence at all.
for each of these tasks. Depending on the
area of your brain that is damaged, you could
have problems with any part of this process.

2.
Remember
it
1. 3.
Hear it Understand
it

7.
Say the
4.
words
Find the
words

6.
Tell your
muscles
5.
how to Put a
move sentence
together

What happens when we’re asked a question

4 Communication problems after stroke

What kinds of problems can this cause?

Aphasia Signs of aphasia

Aphasia affects your ability to speak and While it will be different for everyone,
understand what others say. It can also these are some of the more common
affect your ability to read and write. Aphasia signs of aphasia:
is sometimes called dysphasia.
• not being able to understand much of
It happens when you’re no longer able to what other people say
understand or use language. It does not • not being able to form words, only
affect your intelligence, although some sounds
people may treat you as if it has. Aphasia is a • only being able to say single words or
common problem after stroke and around a very short sentences, like “want drink”
third of stroke survivors have it. • speaking slowly, with very long pauses
• missing out words or getting them in
There are different types of aphasia: the wrong order
• getting stuck on a single word or
• Broca’s aphasia or expressive aphasia, sound, and repeating it over and over
is when you find it very difficult to speak. • saying one word when you mean
You may only be able to say single words or another, so you may say “milk” instead
very short sentences, although it’s usually of “water”, or “yes” instead of “no”
possible for other people to understand • not being able to find the right word,
what you mean. even though you can describe what
you’re thinking of
• Wernicke’s aphasia or fluent aphasia, is • talking nonsense, but not realising that
when you’re able to speak well and use you’re not making any sense
long sentences, but what you say does not • being able to read headlines in a
make sense. You may not know that what newspaper, but not the rest of the text
you’re saying is wrong, so you may get • being able to write, but not read what
frustrated when people don’t understand you’ve written.
you.

• Global aphasia is when you have serious

communication problems and you may not
be able to speak, read or write at all.

“Losing your communication

doesn’t just affect you, it
affects everyone around
you too.”
Chris

Communication problems after stroke 5

Problems with reading and Apraxia of speech
writing Apraxia is when you have problems moving
your muscles in the right order. This makes
Alexia is when you find reading difficult, is hard to move your body in the way you
because you’re not able to recognise written want to. Some people call this dyspraxia.
words. It is sometimes called word blindness
or visual aphasia. Apraxia of speech is when you can’t move
the muscles in your face, mouth or throat in
If you have problems with writing this is the order you need to when you’re speaking.
known as agraphia. You may find it difficult This can make it difficult for other people
to spell words, write sentences in the right to understand you. You may not have any
order or draw a letter, or you may not be able weakness in these muscles and you may be
to write at all. able to control them individually without any
problem. However, you can’t move them in
the way you want to when you try to speak.
Dysarthria
This is because apraxia is a problem with
To speak clearly, we need to control the planning movements, rather than the
muscles in our face, mouth and throat as movements themselves. So even though you
well as our breathing. Dysarthria happens may not be able to say goodbye if someone
when you’re not able to do this. asks you to, you may be able to say it when
you go to leave, because you’re doing it
Dysarthria doesn’t affect your ability to without thinking.
understand other people or to find words and
put them together, unless you have other Signs of apraxia of speech
communication problems at the same time.
Dysarthria is a common problem after stroke. It can be hard sometimes to tell the
Out of everyone who has a stroke, nearly half difference between apraxia of speech and
experience it in some way. other communication problems.

Signs of dysarthria These are some common signs:

• not being able to say words clearly,
Dysarthria affects people in different especially when someone asks you to
ways. For some, their speech may only • your speech changes and words sound
be a little unclear and people will usually different every time you say them
be able to understand them. However, • you try to correct yourself, because you
for others it means that they can’t speak know things sound wrong
clearly at all. • you hesitate between words or need
several attempts before you can say a
Some common signs include: word
• not being able to speak clearly • you are able to say things clearly when
• slurred or slow speech you recite them in a list (like days of the
• speaking with a quiet or strained voice, week or numbers), but not when you’re
or one that doesn’t change its tone asked to say them on their own
• hesitating a lot or speaking in short • not being able to speak at all
bursts, rather than full sentences. sometimes.

6 Communication problems after stroke

Will it get better?

Most communication problems do improve. “I had a stroke eight years

However, how much they’ll improve or how
long it will take is very difficult to predict, as ago. I still get frustrated with
it’s different for everyone.
myself when I can’t get my
Problems tend to improve quite quickly words out and embarrassed
within the first three to six months, but you
can continue to recover for months and even when I say the wrong word.
years after this. Whilst some improvement
will happen naturally, you are likely to make a But I get annoyed at other
much better recovery if you have speech and
language therapy, practise your exercises and
people when they think I’m
try to communicate as much as you can. ok. Not all disabilities are
For most people, getting better is about visible.”
returning to the way they were before their Clair
stroke. However, this isn’t always possible.
Even if you get close, you may still have
problems from time to time, especially when
you’re tired or stressed.

But even if you don’t recover completely,

there are many ways to communicate that
don’t rely on speaking. So it doesn’t have
to stop you from doing what you want to do.
Lots of stroke survivors continue to live full
and happy lives, even though they still have
problems with communication.

Communication problems after stroke 7

Are there treatments that can help?

Speech and language therapy So it’s important to find things that will
help you communicate despite your
Speech and language therapy helps you problems with speaking. These are known as
to improve your ability to communicate. compensation or coping strategies. They
Research shows that people who have include anything from gestures and body
speech and language therapy improve much language to alphabet charts and electronic
more than people who don’t. devices – anything that helps you to get
across what you want to say.
Many people think that speech and language
therapy is about ‘fixing’ your problems so So whilst your speech and language therapy
that you can speak as well as you did before. will be about getting you to speak and
However, it’s not always possible to recover understand more, it will also focus on learning
your speech completely. other ways to communicate.

Writing
Facial
Expression Reading

Body
language Drawing

Tone of Communication
voice is more than just
Listening
speech

Touch
Gesturing
Music
Eye
Technology
contact

8 Communication problems after stroke

Confidence also plays an important part Speech and language therapy should also
in your ability to communicate. Speech involve your friends and family. If you’re
and language therapy helps to build your learning new ways to communicate, then the
confidence, so you feel able to join in people around you need to learn as well. So
conversations, talk to new people and do the encourage your friends, family and carers to
things you want to do. attend your speech and language therapy
sessions with you if they can, and practise
with you at home.
There is evidence that certain drugs may
help to treat some speaking problems.
However, it’s not known whether they How do I get speech and language therapy?
work better than speech and language
therapy or whether they are completely When you’re in hospital you’ll be referred
safe. More research needs to be done to a speech and language therapist for an
before they can be widely recommended. assessment to understand the kinds of
problems you’re having. Most stroke teams
include a speech and language therapist,
but they can be based in other hospital
What does speech and language therapy departments and in the community as well.
involve?

There’s no set pattern for speech and SALT is short for speech and language
language therapy. You will have regular therapist. This is someone who works
sessions with a speech and language with people to improve their ability to
therapist, but what you do in these sessions communicate. They also work with
will depend on the problems that you have people who have swallowing problems.
and what’s important for you to work on.

Many people start speech and language Depending on what you find out from your
therapy thinking that they just need to turn assessment, the speech and language
up and do what their speech and language therapist will discuss the kind of therapy
therapist tells them to. But speech and that will be best for you and set up regular
language therapy is about working towards sessions. This may start in hospital or when
goals and these goals need to be set by you, you return home.
together with your speech and language
therapist. It’s no good working on your If services are busy, you may have to wait
spelling, if what you really want to do is tell several weeks for your speech and language
your family that you love them. therapy to start once you return home. Many
people find this difficult, so try to find out as
much as you can whilst you’re in hospital. Ask
Speech and language therapy isn’t just your speech and language therapist when
about the time you spend with your your therapy will start and what you can work
speech and language therapist. Getting on while you wait.
better and becoming more confident only
comes with practice. So the more you If you don’t stay in hospital, or you don’t
do outside of your sessions, the more notice difficulties until you’ve returned home,
progress you’ll see within them. then speak to your GP.

Communication problems after stroke 9

How long does it last? What happens after speech and language
therapy?
There is no set length of time for speech
and language therapy. Ideally, it will continue In many areas there are organisations who
until you’ve achieved your goals. However, offer communication support such as:
this isn’t always the case. Many people find • one-to-one sessions with someone
that their speech and language therapy ends who is trained to provide communication
before they feel ready. support
• communication or conversation groups
Knowing that you’re no longer going to where you can practise with other people
have regular advice and support from your • partner schemes that will put you
speech and language therapist can knock in touch with someone else who has
your confidence and make you worry that you communication problems so that you can
won’t improve any more than you have. practise together.

But recovery doesn’t end with therapy. As Before your therapy ends, your speech and
you carry on practising your new skills, you’ll language therapist should talk to you about
probably see that things will get even better the kinds of communication support that’s
and your confidence will continue to improve. available to you and put you in touch with
services that could help. They should also
explain how you can contact them or another
Are there exercises I can practise on speech and language therapist if you need to
my own? in the future.
There aren’t exercises that we can
recommend to everyone, because what Depending on how confident you feel,
works for one person, won’t be suitable there may be other ways to improve your
for someone else. Exercises need to be communication. Many people volunteer,
tailored to you, the problems you have for example, either at their local stroke
and what you want to achieve. So ask your group or for another charity or organisation.
speech and language therapist about This can help you become more confident
exercises you can continue to practise on about talking to new people and in different
your own. There may also be computer situations.
programmes or workbooks that they can
recommend. If there are still things that you want to
work on, there are workbooks you can buy
or websites and apps you can use to set
yourself goals. These can help you break your
goals down into smaller steps and record
“You have to teach yourself your progress as you work towards them. Ask
your speech and language therapist if they
again... you have to teach can recommend some.
yourself to talk to people.”
John

10 Communication problems after stroke

Why haven’t I been offered speech and What about private therapy?
language therapy?
If you’re not offered therapy through the
You won’t be offered speech and language NHS, or if you feel that you didn’t get enough,
therapy if your speech and language therapist you may want to think about private therapy.
thinks that you won’t get any benefit from it. Private therapy means finding your own
This may be because you’re too ill to take part speech and language therapist and paying
in therapy sessions or if your problems seem for treatment yourself.
to be getting better on their own.
Prices can range between £50 and £90 for
It’s important that you and your speech and one session and initial assessments are
language therapist review this further down likely to be more. So this isn’t an option for
the line, as there may come a time when you everyone. If you do decide to pay for private
would benefit from it. therapy, we suggest finding a speech and
language therapist who has experience of
working with people who have had a stroke.
Contact our Stroke Helpline if you’d like to
“Physically and mentally and know more about private treatment.
verbally, you need to just
practise and practise and
practise.”
John

Communication problems after stroke 11

Are there aids or equipment that can help?

There are aids that can help make A communication passport is a document
communication quicker and easier. They that tells people important information
range from simple charts with words and about yourself – everything from the kind of
pictures to portable electronic devices. communication problems you have and the
medication you’re taking, to your likes and
Because there are so many communication dislikes and where you grew up. If you have
aids available, it’s best to get advice from problems speaking, you can use this to tell
your speech and language therapist about other people everything they need to know
which ones would be most helpful for you. about you. This can be especially helpful if
Here’s a brief overview of the kinds of aids you have a lot of different visitors or carers.
that are available.
Anyone can make their own communication
passport, although there are many templates
Communication cards and available to help you.
passports
A communication card is a card that you
can use to explain to people that you have
problems with speaking. It’s usually small, so
that you can carry it with you in your wallet
or purse. A communication card can help you
explain to people (like shop assistants and
waiters, for example) that you need a little
more time or help. We have communication
cards that you can order from our website.
Go to shop.stroke.org.uk

12 Communication problems after stroke

Charts and books An e-tran frame is a special chart for people
who are not able to move their hands to
Simple communication aids include alphabet point. Instead, you can use your eyes to
boards, communication charts and books. indicate a letter, word or symbol that is
They display large letters or words, as well attached to a large frame, which is held in
as sets of pictures, photos or symbols that front of you by a trained carer.
you can point to. For example, many have
pictures to represent feeling hungry or thirsty
or being in pain.

These communication charts can be

useful, especially in hospital, when your
communication problems are likely to be
worse. However, they may not be as suitable
for the kind of conversations you want to
have when you’re back at home.

Our communication chart has been designed

for people who have had a stroke. It costs
£2.50 and you can order it from our website.
Go to shop.stroke.org.uk

Symbol sets are sets of picture symbols that

you can use to put messages together. There
are many sets available, covering a range
of different topics. You can also get them
in different formats, depending on what is
easier for you to use.

Communication problems after stroke 13

Electronic aids Many apps are free or free to try out, whereas
others can cost over £50. They are not always
Voice output communication aids (VOCAs) available for all devices, so it’s important to
are devices that can help you if you have do some research to find what’s best for you.
problems speaking clearly. They use a
computer-generated voice to play a message The Aphasia Software Finder has
aloud. Some work by pressing a button to information about software and apps for
play a pre-recorded message, like “How people with communication problems. It
are you?”, whereas others have a keyboard provides information about what the apps do,
so you can type your own message for the how much they cost and what devices they
VOCA to read aloud. can be used on. The website is funded by a
charity, The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia, and
run by independent researchers, so all the
information is impartial. Go to
www.aphasiasoftwarefinder.org

There are also computer programmes that

you can use to continue practising your
speech and language exercises. There are
lots of different programmes that can be
tailored to the things that you need to work
on, whether it’s speaking, writing or using
numbers.

This kind of computer-based therapy works

best when you have a speech and language
therapist to guide you. They can make sure
that you do the exercises correctly and that
Apps and computer they’re not too easy or too difficult. You
may use computer programmes during the
programmes sessions you have with your speech and
language therapist or they may teach you to
Apps are computer programmes that can be use a computer to practise at home.
downloaded from the internet and used on
your smartphone or tablet computer (such as You can also buy speech and language
an iPad). therapy programmes yourself. There are
a number of companies that sell them.
There are over a hundred apps that However, it’s a good idea to get advice from
have been designed to help people with your speech and language therapist first.
communication problems, but there are also These programmes can be expensive, so you
many others that you may find helpful – such need to make sure that you get something
as apps that can set picture reminders on suitable. Most companies will offer you a free
your phone, rather than written ones, or apps trial of their programme before you buy it, or
you can use to add voice recordings to the your speech and language therapist may be
photos that you take. able to show you an example.

14 Communication problems after stroke

What can I do about my speaking problems?

1 Practise, practise, practise…

The more you practise your
communication, the more
4 Be up front with people
People are more likely to give you
the help and time you need if they
progress you’ll make. So take know you’ve had a stroke and
every opportunity you can – read struggle with speaking because of
things out loud, repeat the names it. So explain to new people. Using
of songs on the radio, list the a communication card may help.
days of the week in the shower, It’s not always easy to do, but you’ll
whatever you can think of. And usually find people are much more
ask your friends and family to help understanding than you think they
you. Communication is also about will be.
confidence, which will come with
practice too.
5 Get it out
Coming to terms with the effects of

2 … but know when to stop

Communication can become
exhausting, especially to begin with.
your stroke is difficult enough, but
it can be even harder when you’re
not able to talk about it very well.
So it’s important that you don’t But this shouldn’t stop you from
push yourself too hard. Listen to getting the emotional support you
your body. If you’re getting tired, need. So if you’re finding things
take a rest. Find things to do that difficult, talk to your speech and
don’t need you to talk, so that language therapist or speak to a
you can give yourself a break. Try friend or family member. You may
listening to music, watching sport have to arrange it so that you have
or gardening, or playing a game, for the time and space you need to talk
example. things through, but it will be worth
the effort if you do. Hobbies like art,

3 Laugh as much as you can

It’s easy to feel stupid when you’re
always getting words wrong. And
music, photography or poetry can
give you a way of expressing your
feelings as well.
the constant struggle to get across
what you want to say can be both
frustrating and exhausting. It’s a lot
to cope with, but for many people
6 Embrace technology
Even if you’re not used to
technology, smart phones and
laughing is the best way to do it. tablet computers are actually
Not only is it a good way to release pretty easy to use and many people
tension, but it can help the person with communication problems find
you’re talking with to feel more them helpful. You can use them to
relaxed and happy as well. video chat with people, for example,
which is often easier than speaking
on the phone. Or you can use them
to take pictures of things that you
want to ask for, like your favourite
foods or members of your family.
Of course, they can be expensive
to buy but many people find them
worth the investment.

Communication problems after stroke 15

Where can I get help and support?

If you’re worried about communication Other organisations that can

problems, then speak to your doctor or
speech and language therapist.
help
Below are some other organisations in the UK
How we can help that may be able to help. Contact our Stroke
Helpline if you’d like to know about others in
Our Stroke Helpline can give you information your area.
and support on any issue you or your family
may be facing after stroke. Whatever the
problem, we’re here to help. Connect is a charity for people with aphasia.
They run a befriending scheme where you
We have coordinators in some areas of the can get one-to-one support from a volunteer
UK, who can meet with you and your family with aphasia.
and give you information, practical advice
and emotional support. We also run stroke They also offer face-to-face counselling at
groups across the UK. their office in London, or via video chat for
people who live elsewhere. You can download
We have communication support a free Aphasia Information Pack from the
coordinators in a lot of areas. They run website, which includes a film about living
groups where you can practise your with aphasia.
communication with other stroke survivors
or someone can work with you one-to-one. Website: www.ukconnect.org
Even if we don’t have these services in your Tel: 020 7367 0840
area, we can tell you about others that do. Email: [email protected]

Or you can talk to other people affected by

stroke on our online forum TalkStroke or on Speakability is a charity that supports people
our Facebook page. Visit with aphasia. They have information that
stroke.org.uk/talkstroke or is written for people with communication
facebook.com/TheStrokeAssociation problems on their website. They also run a
network of self-help groups for people with
To find out how we can help, just get in touch: aphasia across England, Scotland and Wales.
• call our Stroke Helpline on 0303 3033 100
• email [email protected] Website: www.speakability.org.uk
• visit stroke.org.uk Tel: 080 8808 9572
• write to us at Stroke Information Service, (Tue–Thu, 11am–3pm)
Life After Stroke Centre, Church Lane, Email: [email protected]
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 8RA.

16 Communication problems after stroke

Communication Matters has information Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland is a charity
about methods of communication you for people affected by chest and heart
can use instead of writing or speaking conditions as well as stroke.
(known as augmentative and alternative
communication or AAC for short). They offer communication support in
Scotland, including groups and one-to-one
Their website lists all the communication aid support. They also have information on their
centres and AAC assessment services across website that has been written for people with
the UK. These services can tell you about aids communication problems.
that can help you communicate and show
you how to use them. Some also lend out Website: www.chss.org.uk
equipment. Advice Line: 0808 801 0899
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.communicationmatters.org.uk
Tel: 0845 456 8211
Email: [email protected]

Communication problems after stroke 17

Tips for family and friends

It can be difficult to know how Be patient

to help someone when they’re It can be distressing when
finding communication difficult. So someone you love can’t
here are some tips to help you. understand what you tell them
or if you can’t understand
Practise too them. All relationships rely on
If your friend or family member communication so it can be very
isn’t able to communicate in the hard when it suddenly becomes
same ways as before, then you’re difficult. But things will get better
going to need to learn new ways with time. Even if your friend or
to do it too. So get involved with family member never completely
their speech and language therapy recovers their ability to speak,
as much as you can. Go along you’ll find other ways to get across
to their speech and language what you want to say to each
therapy sessions if you’re able to, other. It will take time and it won’t
or ask their speech and language always be easy, so make sure you
therapist to send you information. both get the right support.
There’ll always be exercises to do
at home, so do them together and Don’t do everything for them
take every opportunity you can to Your friend or family member
practise having conversations.Our is going to be more reliant on
Guide to good conversations on you, but it won’t help if you do
page 19 will help you. everything for them. So as their
communication begins to improve,
Keep talking encourage them to do things on
Many people with communication their own even if it’s only small.
problems say they feel invisible You may have to give them a
because people forget that they gentle push to try something for
have something to say or aren’t the first time, but remind them
willing to put the effort in to find that you’re there to help if they run
out. So although it can be difficult, into trouble.
make sure your friend or family
member is included in your Make time
conversations – whether it’s an People can start to feel very lonely
argument, an important decision when they’re not able to talk or
that needs to be made or simply a go out in the same way they used
chat about the weather. to. So simply spending some time
with your friend or family member
You may avoid talking to your can really help. Make an effort to
friend or family member because talk to them about how they are
you think it will make them tired coping. Although it may be difficult
or embarrassed or frustrated. to begin with, you’ll find a way to
But equally they might think it’s do it. It can also help to spend time
because you’re not interested in not talking as well, to give them
knowing what they have to say. a break. Find something you can
Plus the more they practise the do together that doesn’t require
more they’ll improve. So keep much chat, like cooking a mealor
talking. playing a game.

18 Communication problems after stroke

A guide to good conversations

When you’re talking to someone, During your

it’s up to both of you to make sure
the conversation is a good one.
conversation
This doesn’t change if one of you Do
has communication problems. It Keep it simple – keep sentences
may make your conversation a bit short and ask one question at a
more difficult, but it can still be just time.
as good.
Say when you don’t understand –
These are our tips to help you. it’s not a problem, you just need to
try it again.

Before you start Stick to one topic at a time and

make sure you both know when
• Make time you’ve moved on to a new one.
Remove distractions and make
sure you’re not under any other Use whatever you can – point to
pressures, so you can give each things, make gestures, write, draw,
other your full attention. hum or sing.

• Focus on what you’re doing Talk naturally about things that

Look as if you’re ready to talk, are of interest to each other.
sit close to or opposite each
other and make eye contact.
Don’t
• Don’t worry Rush – give each other time to
Conversations are about understand and respond.
sharing and understanding each
other, so it doesn’t matter how Finish sentences or guess what
you do it or how long it takes. the other person is trying to say
Be ready to make mistakes, you – it’s extremely frustrating. Just
just have to keep trying. give them the time they need to
get there themselves.
• Get ready to listen
The best conversations involve Ask questions you already
everybody equally, so good know the answers to – it’s a
communication is as much conversation not a test.
about listening as it is talking.
Pretend to understand what
To be a good listener you need to: they’ve told you or assume that
• give time and attention you have – always check.
• try not to interrupt
• allow silences Forget that you’re talking to
• ask questions an adult who has problems with
• give feedback their communication, not their
• check you’ve understood. intelligence.

Communication problems after stroke 19

Some other things to Five rules of good
think about: conversations
• Check yes/no responses. Sometimes 1. Show respect
people with communication problems
say yes or no when it’s not what they 2. Give each other time
mean. So check with a simple thumbs
up or thumbs down, or draw a tick and 3. Listen
a cross on a piece of paper and ask
them to point. 4. Be positive

• Write down key words. Even if they 5. Never assume.

can’t read very well, many people can
still recognise single words. So writing
down key words as you go along can
help you if you run into trouble.

• If your conversation partner is

struggling to think of a word, then
ask them to spell it, write it down,
or point to what it begins with on an
alphabet chart.

• Think about other things that you

can use to help your conversation.
Do you have pictures from your
holiday you’re talking about, which
you could look at while you chat? Or
why not sit down with a photo album
or a newspaper, or perhaps a book on
a topic that interests one of you, and
talk about that together?

20 Communication problems after stroke

About our information

We want to provide the best information for people

affected by stroke.

That’s why we ask stroke survivors and their families, as

well as medical experts, to help us put our publications
together.

How did we do?

To tell us what you think of this guide, or to request
a list of the sources we used to create it, email us at
[email protected]

Communication problems after stroke 21

We are the Stroke Association

We believe in life after stroke. That’s why we support

stroke survivors to make the best recovery they can. It’s
why we campaign for better stroke care. And it’s why we
fund research to develop new treatments and ways of
preventing stroke.

We’re here for you. If you’d like to know more,

please get in touch.

Stroke Helpline: 0303 3033 100

Website: stroke.org.uk
Email: [email protected]
From a textphone: 18001 0303 3033 100

Text STROKE 5 to 70300 to donate £5. It only takes a

couple of seconds to make a BIG difference.
For more information visit stroke.org.uk/savelives
Texts cost your donation amount plus one message at your standard network charity rate.
The Stroke Association will receive 100% of your gift. Always ask the bill payer’s permission. For questions
about donating by text call 0330 6600 425.

Together we can conquer stroke

© Stroke Association 2015

Version 1
Published: April 2015
Next review: April 2018.

Item code: A01F03CG

Stroke Association is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales (No 61274).
Registered office: Stroke Association House, 240 City Road, London EC1V 2PR. Registered as a Charity in England and Wales (No 211015)
and in Scotland (SC037789). Also registered in Northern Ireland (XT33805) Isle of Man (No 945) and Jersey (NPO 369).