By Shannon Bussnick, LSW
Disclosure: The information provided in this blog is intended for discussion and insight purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a licensed healthcare or mental health professional.
Have you ever struggled to recall a word, and despite your best efforts, it just won’t budge? The words we seek seemingly rest comfortably upon the tip of our tongue, but why can’t we readily access them?
This common experience underscores the journey of word recall issues—a journey that spans from the excitement of childhood language milestones to the rich, sometimes fragmented, experience of elder conversations.
With the understanding of conditions like aphasia, symptoms of mental health and developmental conditions, and side effects from certain medications, it’s essential to discern the differences between typical word-finding pauses and signs of deeper communication obstacles.
Aphasia vs. Typical Word Recall Difficulties
Aphasia is a condition that affects both the ability to express oneself and to understand language. This condition is quite different from the occasional difficulty we all have with finding the right words. It is often caused by brain injuries or neurological problems such as stroke, head injury, or brain tumor.
It is important to distinguish between occasional memory lapses and persistent language problems that could be indicative of more serious underlying issues. This is crucial to provide the most appropriate treatment to the affected individuals.
The Many Ages of Word Recall
In Childhood
Word recall in children, essential to their language development, can understandably become jumbled here and there, often leading to the use of made-up words, known as neologisms.
Engaging children in activities that boost phonological awareness and vocabulary is key to supporting their linguistic journey. While learning and development can involve occasional struggles, ongoing difficulties may indicate conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, or autism.
Important to note: Research has shown there is a link between memory formation and autism, leading to challenges in traditional academic settings that do not incorporate a whole-person approach and curriculum.
Brain injuries, as well, such as concussions, can cause language obstacles for individuals of all ages, particularly for children who may not have the cognitive development to express symptoms. For this reason, it is vital to be evaluated by a healthcare professional to understand where the challenge emerges from and to receive the appropriate treatment.
In Adulthood
Apart from the presence of brain injury and neurological issues, difficulties with regularly used vocabulary can be due to stress, medical problems, mental health issues, and lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and sleep.
Recognizing when these challenges cross from the realm of normalcy into disruption of daily functioning is crucial. Strategies including memory enhancement exercises and stress reduction can support adults in maintaining and strengthening their language skills.
In Elder Years
As we age, it becomes increasingly important to distinguish between the natural shifts in word recall and symptoms of conditions such as aphasia, dementia, or other medical or mental health conditions.
For example, metabolic and genetic disorders, bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune conditions, and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and psychosis can cause memory and word recall difficulties.
Like children and individuals with communication disorders, the elderly may also struggle to convey changes in their cognitive abilities due to natural age-related decline or preexisting conditions.
It is crucial that seniors receive medical evaluation, cognitive stimulation, and speech therapy to support their communication skills and potentially improve their overall function.
Diagnoses and Management
Word recall issues can arise from various causes, necessitating personalized management approaches.
Neuropsychological assessments are pivotal in identifying underlying reasons and guiding intervention choices. Based on an individual’s presenting symptoms, a neurological exam may include an evaluation of mental status, cranial nerves, sensory functioning, motor ability, cerebellar functioning, and reflexes.
Collaboration among speech therapists, medical, and mental health professionals ensures a holistic treatment strategy.
Embracing Diverse Communication Methods
Moreover, an essential aspect of navigating word recall challenges is recognizing that language and communication manifest uniquely for each of us.
While traditional speech is a common method of expression, embracing the full spectrum of communication methods is crucial for our collective well-being. This understanding broadens our perspective on language, fostering a more inclusive environment where everyone’s voice can be heard, regardless of the medium.
For some, enhancing spoken language skills through targeted exercises and therapies offers a path to improved communication. However, it’s equally important to recognize that not all communication journeys focus on spoken language.
Alternative means of communication, such as sign language, offer rich, expressive avenues for interaction that are both valid and valuable. Sign language is a powerful tool for those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for individuals who find verbal communication challenging. Embracing sign language not only aids in bridging communication gaps but also enriches our understanding and appreciation of language diversity.
Furthermore, technological advancements have paved the way for innovative communication devices and systems, providing voice to those who might otherwise struggle to express themselves. These tools range from message boards to sophisticated computer systems that generate speech, enabling individuals with various disabilities to communicate their thoughts, needs, and emotions effectively.
Understanding that communication falls on a spectrum encourages us to learn about and respect each individual’s preferred means of expression. By doing so, we foster a more inclusive society that values and supports the communicative abilities of every person, recognizing that the essence of communication lies not in the method used, but in the connections we forge and the understanding we achieve.
The Power of Support for Language and Communication
Professional Guidance
Speech therapists provide targeted strategies for improving word recall and crafting individualized therapy plans. Their specialized work, in concert with medical and mental health professionals, offers a comprehensive approach to addressing word recall challenges.
Family and Caregiver Support
The journey of word challenges is shared with family and caregivers, whose understanding, patience, and involvement are invaluable. Their role is crucial in reinforcing therapeutic outcomes and fostering a nurturing environment for communication.
Exercises for Enhancing Word Recall
• For Children: Activities like rhyming games and storytelling can enrich vocabulary and expressive skills.
• For Adults: Memory training and mindfulness exercises help stimulate cognitive functions and manage stress.
• For Elderly: Tailored cognitive stimulation and social interaction encourage verbal expression and cognitive health.
Implementing additional strategies to improve cognitive function can be advantageous. Such strategies may include:
1. Practicing Daily Mental Stimulation: Engaging in activities that challenge your brain, like puzzles, reading, learning a new language, or playing musical instruments, can help improve cognitive function and memory recall.
2. Staying Active: Physical exercise, especially cardiovascular exercises that increase blood flow to the brain, can significantly enhance memory and cognitive skills.
3. Engaging in Social Interaction: Engaging in conversations and social activities can stimulate brain regions involved in language, memory, and attention.
4. Incorporating a Healthy Diet: Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins can support brain health. Foods like fish, nuts, blueberries, and leafy green vegetables are particularly beneficial.
5. Receiving Adequate Sleep: Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation and stress reduction.
6. Use of Mnemonic Devices: Techniques like mnemonics, visualization, or associating words with images or stories, can make it easier to retrieve words from memory.
7. Practice and Repetition: Regularly practicing language and communication skills, through reading aloud, writing, signing, using flashcards or other stimulating activities can help strengthen memory recall.
8. Staying Hydrated and Managing Stress: Dehydration and high stress levels can negatively impact cognitive functions, including memory. Keeping hydrated and practicing stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises can be beneficial.
Conclusion
It is important to understand and raise awareness that word recall challenges, whether temporary or chronic, do not diminish an individual’s worth or creativity. On the contrary, navigating these issues can open new doors for communication and discovery. Embracing the journey with hope, armed with the right strategies and support, can lead to a rejuvenated sense of self and connectivity.
We need also to remain cognizant of the diverse landscape of language and communication. Let’s commit to learning about, supporting, and advocating for the use of all communication forms, celebrating the myriad ways people connect and share with the world.
References and Further Reading
• Digitale, E. (2023, July 10). Children with autism have distinct memory profiles, study finds. Stanford Medicine News Center. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/07/children-autism-memory.html
• Mayo Clinic. (2022, July 11). Aphasia – Symptoms and causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aphasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369518
• Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN); Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Skills [Internet]. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2021. Chapter 6 Neurological Assessment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK593206/#
• Rohrer JD, Knight WD, Warren JE, Fox NC, Rossor MN, Warren JD. Word-finding difficulty: a clinical analysis of the progressive aphasias. Brain. 2008 Jan;131(Pt 1):8-38. doi: 10.1093/brain/awm251. Epub 2007 Oct 18. PMID: 17947337; PMCID: PMC2373641
• The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. (Sept, 2020). Word-finding difficulties. Kids Health Info. Retrieved from https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Wordfinding_difficulties/
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