The Role of Written Language in the Rehabilitation Process of Brain Injury and Aphasia: The Memory of the Movement in the Reacquisition of Language

Abstract

This qualitative case study describes the use of written language over a period of two years, with a young adult who sustained brain injury and as a result has expressive and receptive aphasia. The study demonstrates the ways in which written language can enhance the development of the expression of thoughts. The “memory of the movement” strategy enabled him to initiate ideation and restore his language. One of the powerful aspects of the research was the natural choice of mediating his thoughts through the writing of poetry. The importance of this research is the encouragement of holistic and interdisciplinary approaches to promote the language rehabilitation process of individuals who have aphasia.

Keywords:

• aphasia
• brain injury
• expressive aphasia
• language loss
• memory of the movement
• oral language
• poetry
• receptive aphasia
• rehabilitation
• written language