Aphasia

A healthcare provider will diagnose aphasia after a physical exam and testing. During the exam, your provider will ask you questions about your health history and symptoms. It can be difficult for you to answer these questions or understand what your provider is asking you. It helps to have a caregiver or loved one with you during your exams to help fill in the blanks if you need it.

If your provider suspects aphasia, they may refer you to a speech-language pathologist (SLP). A speech-language pathologist will offer a comprehensive exam to learn more about your ability to understand language (listen), speak and hold a conversation, express your thoughts, read and write. This helps your provider determine what type of aphasia you have.

Your provider will also evaluate the following factors to make a complete diagnosis:

• Fluency. Do you speak smoothly and easily? Does your speech have the right pace, pitch, pronunciation and grammar? Can you write without difficulty?
• Understanding. Do you understand what other people are saying? Do you say phrases and sentences that make sense? Can you read and understand written words?
• Repetition. Do you have any trouble repeating words, phrases or complete sentences?

What tests diagnose aphasia?

Your provider will recommend running several tests to diagnose aphasia or rule out conditions with similar symptoms. The tests may even determine what kind of treatments will work best.

Testing may include:

• Blood tests.
• CT (computed tomography) scan.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG).
• Electromyogram.
• Evoked potentials test.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan.