response

For this week’s discussion, I have chosen to write about aphasia. 
According to Gleason (2016), specialized areas in the cerebral cortex in our brains are responsible for language, and language is the result of a dynamic interaction between neural networks to utilize the storage and in the retrieval of information. As a result, any damage in any of the language areas may result in impairment but not the loss of speech and comprehension of speech depending on the injured area of the brain (Ibanescu & Pescariu, 2009). The disorder affects expression and understanding of language as well as reading and writing (www.nidcd.nih.gov). Aphasia can be related to other diseases, such as brain tumors, brain infections, progressive neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (www.nidcd.nih.gov).
Supporting individuals with aphasia depends on the diagnosis of the disorder. Types of aphasia include Broca’s area, Wernicke’s area, and the arcuate fasciculus (Gleason, 2016). The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders confirms that brain tissues near the damaged area can continue to grow when activating language and communication skills. Thus, aphasia therapy aims at improving communication abilities and restoring language abilities individually or in small groups. Another strategy to help people with aphasia is using a virtual speech therapist to support then regain their self-confidence at the comfort of their home on their computers or tablets.
References:
Gleason, J. B., & Ratner, N. B. (2017). The development of language (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2018). Retrieved from: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/aphasia#what
Ibanescu & Pescariu. (2009). Aphasia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Nova Science Pub Inc; UK ed.