We’ve all had those “tip of the tongue” moments when we’re mid-conversation and suddenly can’t remember the name of that actor or the title of that movie. For people with aphasia, this happens all the time and is extremely frustrating.

The Problem: Word-finding difficulty, known as anomia, is one of the most frequent symptoms of aphasia. The person with aphasia KNOWS what they want to say but can’t get the words out.

When communication breaks down, it's time to use a strategy.

Strategies to Increase Word-Finding

There are several word-finding strategies people with aphasia can use to help them get their message across.

Verbal Strategies:

• Describe it: “It’s black, you put it on food...”
• Use a synonym or opposite: “Not salt but…”
• Name the category: “It’s a spice.”
• Say the first letter: “Starts with a P.”

Nonverbal Strategies:

• Gesture using your hands: mime sprinkling a pepper shaker
• Write the word or first letter: print "pepper" or "p"
• Draw a picture: sketch a pepper shaker
• Show it: point at the object or a picture
• Give it time: wait a few seconds for the word to come

Using strategies can reduce the pressure to find the exact word right away. Using both verbal and nonverbal strategies will give the listener more information about the target message while helping you say the word.

How to practice: Jump into conversation!

A recent study (Leaman et. al, 2024) showed that practicing real-life conversations helped individuals with moderate to severe aphasia improve in both speaking and understanding during everyday interactions.

The Tactus Conversation Therapy app offers a chance to practice these strategies by answering questions about a topic. The app is a great way to start a conversation with someone you don't know very well, or someone you know all too well!

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How can conversation partners help?

Instead of guessing words for the person with aphasia, give them the opportunity to practice and lead the conversation. Here are some tips:

• Allow extra time; silence is okay.
• Use paper to write down understood words.
• Clarify when needed.
• Encourage strategies like describing or drawing.
• Offer choices. (e.g., “Did you mean salt or pepper?”)

These techniques can support their communication without taking away the chance to practice.

Whether you’re an individual recovering from a stroke or a caregiver supporting them, keep up the hard work!

Best regards,

Megan

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P.S. Want to get started practicing these strategies? Download the free Lite version of Conversation Therapy on your iOS or Android device to see how it works.