Understanding Cognitive Communication Disorders Post-Stroke. In almost simple language

Strokes can turn life upside down, affecting everything from how we walk to how we talk.

What Is a Stroke?

A stroke is like a sudden tackle in a footy match, disrupting blood flow in the brain. This interruption can occur in two main ways:

1. Ischemic Stroke: Imagine a traffic jam on the brain’s freeway. A blood clot blocks a vessel, preventing blood from reaching part of the brain. This is the most common type of stroke (Australian Stroke Foundation, 2022).

2. Haemorrhagic Stroke: This is like a burst water balloon in your brain. A blood vessel breaks, causing bleeding in or around the brain, which can increase pressure and cause further damage (Stroke Foundation, 2020).

After a stroke, some people may struggle with communication and thinking clearly. It’s like trying to play footy with a foggy visor or sunglasses. Here’s what might happen:

1. Aphasia: This condition affects language abilities. People might have trouble speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. It’s like having a game plan that’s gone wrong (Speech Pathology Australia, 2019).

   
   

2. Cognitive Communication Impairments: These impairments affect how people organise and express their thoughts. It’s similar to a footy team not sticking to their game strategy. Key issues include:

   • Attention Deficits: Difficulty maintaining focus can hinder conversation and multitasking, like trying to keep an eye on the ball during a busy play (Brady, Kelly, Godwin, & Enderby, 2018).

   • Memory Problems: Short-term memory issues can make it hard to remember recent conversations or events, similar to forgetting the score of a match (Perry & Perry, 2019).

   • Executive Functioning: Problems with planning and problem-solving can impact daily functioning and conversation coherence, like trying to execute a complicated play without knowing the tactics (Cicerone, Mott, Azulay, & Friel, 2019).

     
     

Symptoms of Cognitive Communication Disorders and Aphasia

Here’s what you might notice if someone has cognitive communication disorders:

• Word-Finding Difficulties: They might struggle to find the right words.

• Disorganised Speech: Their thoughts might come out in a jumbled way, making conversations hard to follow, like a footy game where the players keep switching positions randomly..

• Reduced Comprehension: They might have trouble understanding complex sentences or abstract ideas, like trying to follow a footy game with unclear commentary.

• Impaired Social Interaction: Social skills might be affected, making it hard to pick up on social cues or take turns in conversation, much like not knowing when to pass the ball or take a shot.

Strategies for Management and Rehabilitation

Managing these issues is like creating a winning strategy for a footy match. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Speech Pathology: This involves targeted therapy to help improve language skills and get back on track with conversations (Speech Pathology Australia, 2019).

2. Cognitive Rehabilitation: Think of this as a workout for the brain. It involves exercises to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills (Cicerone et al., 2019).

3. Environmental Modifications: Use visual aids, reduce distractions, and set up clear routines to assist with memory and organisation (Australian Stroke Foundation, 2022).

4. Family and Caregiver Support: Educate family members and caregivers on effective communication strategies. Patience and clear communication can make a significant difference, like having a supportive coach on the sidelines (Brady et al., 2018).

As mentioned, please consult your medical professionals (GP + Allied Health) for further advice tailored to your situation.