Aphasia can make simple attempts to communicate difficult. People with aphasia may wish to carry a card that explains that they experience aphasia and what specific communication problems they have. People who experience aphasia may also benefit from keeping paper and a pen or pencil handy in order to better communicate with others.

Family support is an especially important part of aphasia treatment. It is important that family and friends of people with aphasia understand that the patient should be treated as a valuable member of the family or social group, and that the patient's opinions are asked for and listened to. There are several communication strategies that family and friends can utilize to ease communication and reduce frustration. These strategies include:

• Modify language. It is important that people realize that a person with aphasia has the capacity to think and reason normally. Communication may be eased if key words are emphasized and spoken clearly and sentences are simple and short. Baby-talk should not be used as this can belittle and humiliate the patient. In addition, unless a patient with aphasia is also experiencing hearing loss, it is important to speak at a normal volume.
  
  
• Encourage communication. Patients experiencing aphasia should be allowed adequate time to talk. Family and friends should be patient while listening, and resist the urge to correct the patient’s speech.
  
  
• Use alternate modes of communication. The use of visual cues, such as pictures of friends, family, food or other common items, may be useful in communication. People communicating with someone with aphasia should accept the validity of any form of communication, including written notes, hand gestures or intonation.
  
  
• Establish the right environment for communication. In the early stages of recovery from aphasia, patients may find it overwhelming to attempt to communicate with more than one person. Therefore, communication should be conducted one-on-one. Additionally, the area that communication takes place in should be quiet, well-lit and free of excess stimuli to enable both parties to understand each other as well as possible.
  
  
• Encourage involvement outside the home. Joining a support group can be valuable for both the patient and the patient’s family and friends. It may be an opportunity to meet people who are experiencing similar problems and can provide support and advice. It may also allow people with aphasia to practice communicating in a non-judgmental environment.