Mauro Javier Cárdenas, the critically-acclaimed author of The Revolutionaries Try Again—“an original, insubordinate novel” (New York Times)—pens a profound story of literature about a man coming to terms with his dysfunctional Colombian family, as well as his own behavior, as an immigrant in America. Antonio wants to avoid thinking about his sister—even though he knows he won’t be able to avoid thinking about his sister—because his sister is on the run after allegedly threatening to shoot her neighbors, and has been claiming that Antonio, Obama, the Pentagon, and their mother are all conspiring against her. Nevertheless, Antonio is going to try his best to be as avoidant as possible, because he worries that what’s been happening to his sister might somehow infect his relatively contented, ordered American life, and destabilize the precarious arrangement with his ex-wife that’s allowed him to stay close to his two daughters. In fact, he’s busy doing everything except facing his problems head-on: transcribing recordings of his mother speaking about their troubled life in Colombia, transcribing recordings of his ex-wife speaking about her idyllic life in the Czech Republic; writing about former girlfriends whose words and deeds still recur in his mind; rereading stories by American writers that allow him to skirt the subject of his sister’s state of mind without completely destroying his own. Written in long, unravelling sentences that accommodate all the detritus of thought—scenes real and imagined, headphones and heartache, Toblerones and Thomas Bernhard—Aphasia captures the immensity of the present moment as well as the pain of the past. It cements Mauro Javier Cárdenas’s place as one of the most innovative and extraordinary novelists working today.

Greenberg creates a meeting ground for two strains of inquiry. One has to do with Freud's early neurological writings and his career as a research scientist; the other with the origins of psychoanalysis in the late nineteenth-century intellectual culture, particularly in theories of language. Aphasia studies encompass inquiry into language, brain, and consciousness, and, ultimately, the entire question of mind-body relations. The study of language disorders that result from brain damage shows the thirty-five-year-old Freud as a bold researcher who encountered in the sources he used some of the important ideas that would ultimately evolve into psychoanalysis.

This is a comprehensive, interpretive account of aphasia written to appeal to a broad audience. It combines historical, anatomic, and psychological approaches toward understanding the nature of aphasia. Included is a discussion of the brain-language relationship, the symptoms and syndromes common to aphasia, and alternative approaches to classification. Integrates phenomenology of aphasic symptoms with the anatomy of language and current theories of brain-language relations Traces history of aphasic theory, from pre-Broca to contemporary theory Provides detailed review of manifestations of aphasia in every language modality Contains critical analysis of neurolinguistic inter-relations

An up-to-date, integrated analysis of the language disturbances associated with brain pathology, this book examines the different types of aphasia combining two clinical approaches: the neurological and the neuropsychological. Although they stress the clinical aspects of aphasia syndromes, they also review assessment techniques, linguistic analyses, problems of aphasia classification, and frequently occurring related disorders such as alexia, agraphia, alcalculia, and anomia. In addition, they examine commonly encountered speech disorders, neurobehavioral and psychiatric problems commonly associated with aphasia, and the language characteristics of aging and dementia. Rehabilitation and recovery are discussed, and a neural basis for aphasia and related problems is proposed. Neuropsychologists, neurologists, speech therapists, psychiatrists, and occupational therapists will find this book invaluable when dealing with language disorders resulting from brain disease or injury.

'This book is a wonderful idea and it meets a heretofore unmet need. It derives from a particularly interesting database, since it deals with aphasia in aphasic people's own language...It is strongly recommended.' Professor Audrey Holland, Department of Speech Pathology, University of Arizona, USA This book is about living with aphasia - a language impairment which can result from stroke. Drawing on in-depth interviews with fifty aphasic people, it explores the experience of aphasia from the dramatic onset of stroke and loss of language to the gradual revelation of its long-term consequences. The story is told from the perspective of aphasic people themselves. They describe the impact of aphasia upon their employment, education, leisure activities, finances, personal relationships and identity. They describe their changing needs and how well these have been met by health, social care and other services. They talk about what aphasia means to them, the barriers encountered in everyday life and how they cope. The book offers a unique insight into the struggle of living with aphasia, combining startlingly unusual language with a clear interlinking text.

Come with Beamer and his best friend Kyle as they learn about aphasia from experts with years of experience. Join them as they learn what aphasia is, and how to help their dear friend who has just been diagnosed. This endearing story of friendship will encourage you to communicate with someone who has aphasia. You will learn that you really can make a difference. “I am happy to recommend this book for children and even adults to learn about aphasia. It is clear, understandable, and has very memorable illustrations, including a loveable dog. The book is highly educational for children, adolescents, and adults, and it is amusing and moving even for professionals who deal with aphasia. I recommend this book to one and all.” Howard S. Kirshner, MD Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Neurology Vanderbilt University Medical Center “This is an excellent book that summarizes aphasia for young children. It teaches the children, through the eyes of a dog who lives with a child, to understand that aphasia occurs when people cannot connect their ideas to words after a stroke. This is caused due to disconnection and damage of brain cells. The book explains how once the brain cells are damaged, a new team of brain cells has to learn to train and to be good at language function. That training can be done through aphasia therapy. The book highlights the importance of aphasia therapy as well as socializing and talking with people daily to improve their communication skills. The message in the book is clear and provides an optimistic yet accurate view of aphasia.” Swathi Kiran, Ph.D., CCC-SLP Professor & Doctoral Program Coordinator, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Associate Dean for Research, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University 635 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA 02215 “Now I Understand Aphasia” is a heart-warming depiction of those living with Aphasia. This book teaches us about the brain and its incredible ability to adapt. Kyle’s latest adventure in Tell Me Town allows us to experience Mrs. Lee’s journey from diagnosis to isolation, from support to acceptance. It reminds us of the important role we can all play in the lives of our neighbors, friends and family who struggle to communicate.” Capt. Patrick Horan U.S. Army Retired WIA, TBI, GSW Wife, Patty Horan “I always found it hard to explain to my friends why my dad could not communicate like he used to, but that he was still just as smart and capable. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief from reading this story as it shares challenges and proper communication methods that should be used when interacting with people that have aphasia. I love how Cindy Chambers uses her platform to bring awareness to aphasia.” Delaney Tsacoumis daughter of a gentleman with Aphasia—Ashburn, Virginia

Spreen and Risser present a comprehensive, critical review of available methods for the assessment of aphasia and related disorders in adults and children. The authors explore test instruments and approaches that have been used traditionally for the diagnosis of aphasia, ranging from bedside screening and ratings, to tests of specific aspects of language, and to comprehensive and psychometrically standardized aphasia batteries. Coverage of other methods reflects newer trends, including the areas of functional communication, testing of bilingual patients, psycholinguistic approaches, and pragmatic and discourse-related aspects of language in everyday life. The authors also examine the expansion of language assessment to individuals with non-aphasic neurological disorders, such as patients with traumatic brain injury, lesions of the right hemisphere, the healthy elderly, and invidulas with dimentia. Taking a flexible and empirical approach to the assessment process in their own clinical practice, Spreen and Risser review numerous test instruments and their source for professionals and students-in-training to choose from in their own use. The introductory chapters cover the history of aphasia assessment, a basic outline of subtypes of aphasia- both neuro-anatomically and psycholinguistically-, and the basic psychometric requirements for assessment instruments. The final part discusses issues in general clinical practice, specifically questions of test selection and interpretation. The book is a thorough and practical resource for speech and language pathologists, neuropsychologists, and their students and trainees.