Texting & spelling

Aphasia and communication
#1

Morning all,

My husband is currently in a rehab unit and is finding the lack of contact with friends/family extremely hard. He uses FaceTime but only with those closest to him as he is embarrassed of his speech. (He speaks well but doesn't feel confident talking to his friends over FaceTime)However, he also struggles to keep in touch with them over text as he feels his spelling skills have disappeared. I haven't spoken to his SaLT yet as he's only been there a short time and their communication with me has been awful. What apps can he use to help? What can I do to help? I would love for him to be able to have some normality back in his life.

Thank you xx

#2

I have been the carer of a stroke survivor for six years whose speech and spelling were affected.as well as his comprehension.  Recently I had a TIA so roles are somewhat reversed.  His recovery was slow, his instinct to not socialise, the granchildren helped by turning his inability to find the words into a guessing game that has become a great source of hilarity over the years.  When asked what he would like to have for Sunday lunch, he lost his words and just said' it's in a field', at our blank looks he said ' fluffy, white' we all cracked up, shouting 'lamb'. More difficult is coping with his conviction that he has said words and numbers that make sense when it patently is not so.  We have all learned not to trust his spoken numbers they are never right.  Bill has lost his power to make and take decisions instantly.  I now have to rely on my children to confirm the rightness  of major decisions, such as selling the house or having an endarterectomy,  Bill cannot cope with such things.  I let Bill do the things he thought he could do even though I sometimes have to call in plumbers, electricians and spend hours on  the phone unlocking his bank and credit card accounts.  Sometimes we get glimpses of the old Bill, it has been tough for us both but we have managed, lean on your family as much as you can.  Constant classic FM seems calming for us both and you do need to look after yourself as well, have days out just for you.

#3

Thank you for your message Pipgran :) we're 6 months in so slowly getting our heads around this new life xx

#4

So sorry your husband has had a stroke. You might want to try her out using MyTalkTools Mobile Lite http://www.mytalktools.com/dnn/2/Home.aspx - free versions on iPhone, iPad , and Android. 

Another app is Phraseboard which installs as a keyboard, so you can use it anywhere a keyboard pops up. https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/phraseboard-messaging-made/id916976066?mt=8

That relies on a helper (presumably you) to type phrases that mean something initally to "feed" the buttons. "I love you", "I want to go to the loo", "Help!" 'Thank you!", etc. The keys insert the phrase thats on them, you could have one press for "I want a glass of " and three choices "juice" "water" "tea with milk". You can set the iPad to swipe downn two fingers from the top edge to speak. Versions on iPhone, iPad , and Android. 

I'm always available to help - message me!

Rick

#5

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties of your husband. He has made some good progress, so maybe it is about confidence? 


I find small groups of people much easier to handle than larger groups. One to one communication is much easier.

What device does your husband use for FaceTime? I find the keyboard on a phone is small. Using an iPad is much easier to use than an iPhone.

I find it more difficult to type on a laptop, as this requires more coordination.

I find it better to have an agenda or list of topics before starting a discussion.

Some seating positions may be better than others. I prefer to be sat at a dining table than on an easy chair or sofa.

I hope that the above is useful. How aware are your friends and relatives of the issues associated with a stroke?

All the best,

Graham

#6

Hello,

I am sorry to hear about the difficulties of your husband. He has made some good progress, so maybe it is about confidence? 


I find small groups of people much easier to handle than larger groups. One to one communication is much easier.

What device does your husband use for FaceTime? I find the keyboard on a phone is small. Using an iPad is much easier to use than an iPhone.

I find it more difficult to type on a laptop, as this requires more coordination.

I find it better to have an agenda or list of topics before starting a discussion.

Some seating positions may be better than others. I prefer to be sat at a dining table than on an easy chair or sofa.

I hope that the above is useful. How aware are your friends and relatives of the issues associated with a stroke?

All the best,

Graham