Communication Disorders: Broca's Aphasia

Throughout life, many people will encounter the saying “Communication is key” but may never identify the underlying message behind the phrase. When interpreted, this cliché supports the common goal in which every person subconsciously shares: to communicate and interact with others. Humans are biologically wired to participate in this exchange and communication can arguably be considered one of the ultimate purposes people serve. Ironically enough, the instinct to communicate is a daily aspect of life that often is overlooked and taken for granted. Those who suffer from communication disorders, however, might beg to differ. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), a communication disorder is defined as “an
As mentioned earlier, the most common injury that will result in Broca’s Aphasia is a CVA, or stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted by some type of blockage, usually in an artery. When this happens, the blood vessels cannot absorb the required oxygen and the brain cells begin to die (Andersen & Starrfelt, 2015). Strokes include a wide variety of types but the most three common consist of an ischemic stroke, a hemorrhagic stroke, and a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Considering the frontal lobe is a primary language center of the brain, significant language complications can arise if damaged by a stroke. The dominant hemisphere of the brain is designated for verbal programming and oral expression. This portion of the brain is also responsible for controlling the motor movements of the articulators necessary for phonation (Sheppard, Walenski, Love, & Shapiro, 2015). When the frontal lobe is affected by a stroke, these speech functions, both expressive and motor, are impacted. Broca’s Area, a region within the brain that regulates speech production, is typically the target of stroke damage. Due to the role the frontal lobe plays in motor movement, someone with Broca’s Aphasia may experience right-sided paresis or even paralysis of a limb, usually an arm or leg. Considering the blood vessels damaged by a stroke are
One of the more common impairments of this kind is the struggle with writing actual letters to form words or even sentences. Individuals with Broca’s Aphasia demonstrate poor written communication indicative of incorrect spelling and improper grammar (Sheppard, Walenski, Love, & Shapiro, 2015). Patients are usually only capable of writing individual words, but frequently make mistakes. Speech pathologists will regularly see a client substitute wrong phonemes or utilize alternate syllables that are atypical of the English language. A significant indication that a person has Broca’s is the consistent use of writing run-on sentences that are comprised of a language unique to the patient. The impairments involved with verbal and written expression as well as auditory and reading comprehension are symptomatic of Broca’s