Celebrating Aphasia Awareness MonthÂ
Every June, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center joins advocates, clinicians, and families across the country in recognizing Aphasia Awareness Month — a time to educate the public about one of the most common yet least-recognized communication disorders.
Meet Joe Brady
This year, CHSC President & CEO Dr. Jennell Vick sat down with board member Joe Brady for an honest conversation about what life with aphasia really looks like and why campaigns like this one matter.
What Is Aphasia?
Aphasia is a language disorder that affects a person's ability to speak, understand, read, and write. It's not a single experience — aphasia takes many forms, and every person living with it faces a unique set of challenges.
Most often, aphasia occurs suddenly following significant brain injury, such as a stroke. It can also develop gradually due to degenerative brain disease or a tumor. And while these conditions frequently bring physical challenges too, family members like spouses, children, and caregivers consistently report that the communication barriers are the hardest part. The person they love is still there. Reaching them is what's changed.
Aphasia does not affect intelligence. It affects language. That distinction matters.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Speech-language pathologists (SLP) are the specialists who evaluate and treat aphasia. Working alongside the full care team, an SLP helps the person rebuild functional communication and recover abilities over time. Progress is often fastest in the first few months following injury, but meaningful recovery can continue for years with the right support.
What Is Aphasia Awareness Month?
Aphasia Awareness Month is a national campaign held every June to increase public understanding of this condition — how common it is, how it's treated, and how families are affected. Greater awareness reduces stigma and helps people with aphasia feel seen, supported, and understood.
How You Can Help
CHSC provides speech-language pathology services for adults, including evaluation and treatment for aphasia, made possible in part by the generosity of our community.
If you'd like to support this work, make a gift at chsc.org/donate. Every contribution helps us reach more people who need these services.