Aphasia Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Aphasia itself is a symptom of an underlying problem. If you experience any of these symptoms do not assume it is caused by aphasia. These symptoms may be caused by other health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.

Problems talking
- Speaking in short, fragmented phrases
- Putting words in the wrong order
- Using incorrect grammar
- Switching sounds or words
- Speaking in nonsense
- Anomia (word-finding problems; words "on the tip of the tongue")
Problems understanding oral language
- Needing extra time to process language
- Difficulty following very fast speech
- Taking the literal meaning of a figure of speech
Problems reading
Problems writing

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The neurologist who treats your brain condition will most likely recognize your aphasia and perform simple tests that require you to follow commands, answer questions, name objects, and have a conversation. You may then be referred to a speech-language pathologist, who will perform further tests to assess your speech and language skills.

Tests may include the following:

Evaluation of speech
Assessment of the strength and coordination of the speech muscles
Vocabulary and grammar tests
Comprehension tests
Reading and writing tests
Swallowing tests
MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the head
CT scan —an x-ray that uses a computer to make images of structures inside the head
Electroencephalogram (EEG) —a test that records brain activity by measuring electrical currents through the brain. This test may be done in some situations.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.