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We are back with the final set of tips from people with aphasia for making communication aphasia-friendly.

 

During a recent Aphasia Cafe chat, 64.6% of people reported that the people they speak with during the day practice aphasia-friendly communication. Half of the time, friends and family asked what they could do to make the conversation aphasia-friendly. The other half of the time, people were happy to adjust if told what to do.

 

For the chat, we asked people with aphasia, “What do you ask people to do to make communication easier?” We rounded up the answers for anyone who couldn’t attend the chat because we believe people with aphasia are the best people to tell others how to practice aphasia-friendly communication.

Final Communication Tips From People With Aphasia

 

1. I am somewhat new to the diagnosis, but being positive is paramount. I still talk with former friends and colleagues still in the workplace. Positivity is reflected back to you. — Kris B

2. Pen and paper writing communication. — Joe M

3. I send them texts and emails. — Matt M

4. Speak slowly and concisely. Don’t ramble; get to the point! — Mert R

5. Simply tell them that I speak slowly and be patient with me. — Richard J

6. Text me. — Tricia

7. Please communicate a question if you want a response. Just a statement of something does not trigger me to include a comment. — Paula M

8. I tell them I have a speech problem. Bear with me. — Rick

9. Patience. — Rob P

10. Gestures and written words. Ask questions and answer “yes” or “no.” — Rolly

11. Slow down. — Ruby C

12. Speak slowly. — Sherrie M

13. Be patient. — Stephen B

14. Listen clearly and speak slowly. — Rick W

15. Write it down or speak slowly. Talk more. — Marshall Y

16. Please speak slowly. — Verna C

17. Be patient. — Carol W

18. Don’t overthink it before you say it. — Deborah W

19. Short answers. — Ron N

20. Talk with speech-to-text app. — John B

Watch Our Communication Tips Video

 

We believe we can teach people aphasia-friendly communication if we work together. It starts with a simple video:

 

 

Please share it with your friends and family, and then take it to your community. Conversations will become aphasia-friendly when cashiers, bus drivers, hotel staff, first responders, teachers, or doctors learn these tips and put them into practice.

 

Just copy this message:

 

June is Aphasia Awareness Month. Aphasia-friendly communication is just good communication for everyone. Let’s #TalkAboutAphasia and make the world a more understanding place: https://bit.ly/talkaboutaphasia2023

 

Thank you for helping make the world a more aphasia-friendly place.