Communication Impairment

Damage to brain functions responsible for language and memory that impairs the expression and understanding of spoken and written language. Communication impairments can result from neurological disease, stroke, or acquired brain injury, and include conditions such as aphasia (difficulty producing or understanding language) and dysarthria (difficulty with the motor control of speech). People with communication impairments may use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices to support expression, though high abandonment rates suggest that current AAC technology often fails to meet the varied and spontaneous communication needs of daily life.