Welcome back to Spoken’s monthly roundup. This time we have a shorter yet equally fascinating collection of stories covering topics like nonverbal autism, aphasia, and other speech and language disorders.

Aphasia Awareness

Jennie Gow: BBC F1 Broadcaster Was Told To ‘Get Angry’ by Nurse

This piece from the BBC follows a sports broadcaster’s journey to reclaim her speech after a stroke. It delves into the intersection of emotional drive and neurological rehabilitation, suggesting that strong emotions like anger can be powerful allies in rebuilding neural pathways and recovering from aphasia.

Microplastics Linked to Heart Attack, Stroke and Death

Could microplastics be contributing to stroke—one of the leading causes of aphasia? This article highlights a study examining the potential link. While the findings are not definitive proof of anything, they do underscore the urgent need for further investigation into the health implications of these omnipresent pollutants.

Autism Advocacy

Unexpected Literacy Skills in Nonverbal Autism

New research from the University of Virginia reaffirms what has been long understood: that being nonverbal doesn’t negate the potential for literacy. Through an innovative assessment, the researchers were able to demonstrate that the potential for literacy among non-speaking autistic individuals has been vastly underestimated by many. Read more about it here.

Speech Spotlight

Selective Mutism: ‘People Think I’m Rude but I’m Frozen With Fear’

This article from the BBC offers a look into the life of a young person with selective mutism, an anxiety disorder that interferes with the ability to speak in certain social situations. An interesting aspect of the story is that it illuminates how many of the obstacles faced by individuals with communication difficulties stem from a widespread lack of awareness surrounding these disorders. So, in the spirit of raising awareness, we just had to include the article in this month’s roundup.

Check out our previous monthly roundup for more cool stories!