Can memory and attention games help aphasia?
Quick answer: Sometimes, yes. Working memory and attention problems can show up as language problems, like trouble following a conversation. Working on those skills can help comprehension and expression, though most of the research is still small studies. Ask your speech therapist whether it fits you.
Start now: Learn about and gather resources that work on memory and attention alongside language, like Constant Therapy. You can try free naming practice right now →
What I saw in a session
I was working with someone with aphasia today. For the past few weeks, we took a break from directly targeting auditory comprehension and verbal expression, because there were underlying issues showing up in his language. Today we circled back to auditory comprehension, and he had higher accuracy than before.
How memory and attention show up in language
Sneaking around it
So I like to sneak around it and target other things to support auditory comprehension or verbal expression. It's a way to move the needle.
What to try at home
If you or your loved one has aphasia, think about brain games and memory games, like Constant Therapy.
https://www.tiktok.com/@instrumentalslp/video/7688121282461814029
What the research says
A 2017 review of working memory treatment in aphasia found strong gains on memory tasks, and smaller gains that carried over to language. In a small study of a language-specific attention treatment, two of four people with aphasia made good language gains, and three of four improved their auditory-verbal working memory. Most of these studies are small, so work with your speech therapist on whether this approach fits you.
Sources
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