How to make conversations easier

We’ve been exploring the impact of having a language disorder, discussing self-help strategies and ways for others to help make conversation easier. After many open and honest conversations, we’ve put together a list of top tips and advice from our community, overseen by Speech and Language Therapist, Gemma Hoyle. 

I have Aphasia. What can I do to make conversation easier?

Set up for success

• Take a deep breath and relax
• Be patient with yourself
• Choose a quiet space or reduce background noise
• Make eye contact
• Tune into people’s facial expressions
• Keep it simple and slow
• Think ahead
• Make a script with conversation starters
• Ask for help – this includes asking people to stop, slow down or repeat themselves

Use these strategies

• Use the ‘I have Aphasia’ card to make others aware of your communication difficulties
• Practice saying the first sound or letter, and reading out loud
• Break up your sentences into smaller chunks
• Use actions e.g. pointing, or demonstrating
• Use pictures or objects
• Write things down or draw a picture
• Be honest if you don’t understand
• Regularly use therapy apps such as Cuespeak or Tactus
• Read things twice in short bursts
• Take a break

How can I support someone with Aphasia?

Set up for success

• Learn about Aphasia and how this impacts your loved one
• Listen, be patient and give them time
• Choose a quiet or intimate space and reduce background noise
• Remove distractions
• Give the person your undivided attention
• Don’t put the person with Aphasia under pressure

Help the person to understand

• Try to speak face to face, making eye contact
• Use simple words and sentences
• Speak slowly, loudly and clearly
• If you’re in a group, speak one at a time
• Try not to ask unexpected questions
• Recap or rephrase what you have said
• Clearly state when you’re changing topic

Help the person to communicate their wants and needs

• Don’t interrupt, make presumptions or try to finish their sentence
• Be honest if you don’t understand
• Recap or rephrase what they have said to make sure you understand
• Involve your loved one in the conversation – speaking to them, and not about them