How many times a day do you speak, gesture, write, or otherwise communicate your thoughts to someone? When ordering your lunch at Basil Thyme, how do they know which lasagna you want or if you need one or two cannoli?
Most people take their ability to communicate for granted. You think about something you want to tell someone, and you tell him, easy as that. But imagine if it were not that easy. Hundreds of people in D.C. suffer from brain injuries each year— brain injuries that limit their ability to communicate easily or at all.
When particular areas of the brain are seriously injured, it can affect specific aspects of how your body communicates. When the brain swells or hemorrhages from trauma, it loses its ability to communicate with and control your body.
Depending on the severity of the injury and where it occurs, injuries can vary from minor speech impediments to complete lack of cognitive function.
Types of Communication Defects
- Aphasia: Limited abilities to understand language and express thoughts through language (writing and reading problems associated with dyslexia are common).
- Dysarthia (Physical Speech): Damage to the nervous system limits control of vocal muscles as well as lips and tongue, preventing proper speech patterns. Volume, sounds, and tone can be affected.
- Dyspraxia of Speech: This causes confusion between the line of thought process and speech. Victims find it difficult to convey what they are actually thinking.
- Cognitive Impairment: This symptom of brain injury limits social communication by affecting memory, concentration, and reasoning skills.
Being able to communicate is a fundamental part of life and many people—perhaps even yourself—tend to take this ability for granted. We all need to appreciate what our brains do for us and not take chances when it comes to its protection.
Need help with a brain injury claim? Contact us at 703-634-7350for a free consultation. We’ll make sure your voice is heard, call today.