Going to the Doctor

Activity Overview

Visiting the doctor can be overwhelming for individuals with aphasia. Medical visits often involve complex language, fast-paced conversations, and important decisions. This guide offers practical ways to prepare, communicate, and participate confidently during healthcare visits.

See the CommunicationFIRST Hospital Toolkit for hospital-specific information, including a form for rights and accommodation needs for people with communication disabilities such as aphasia. This toolkit was created during Covid-19, but is still useful today.

Goal

Help people with aphasia and their families prepare for and manage medical visits effectively using supported communication strategies.  

What to Expect

• Make Appointment → Check-In → Wait → Doctor Visit → Follow-Up or Prescription
• May involve filling out forms, answering questions, or describing symptoms.
• Visits may be in-person, on the phone, or via virtual portals. 

Preparation Tips

• Review calendar including: day of the week, date, and time. 
• Discuss the type of MD appointment, use the medical portal or internet to find a photo of the provider, specialty, and location.  Your medical portal may even have a video introduction of the physician/provider. 
• Consider using a binder with medical history/overview, medications/allergies, and a section for questions / concerns.
• Write out and practice communicating questions to establish as much independence as possible.  

Communication Supports

• Bring a printed communication board or phrase sheet 
• Ask yes/no questions:
  • “Is this medicine for pain? Yes or No?”
• Use gestures or point to images when needed 
• Create an emergency folder with:
  • The person’s photo, Medical ID card, and emergency contacts
  • List of medications, allergies, and health conditions (this can be done with simple bullet points)
  • “I have aphasia” alert card or bracelet
• “Chest pain,” / “Dizzy,” / “Allergic to…” and pain scales can help.
• Resources:
  • Med Concerns  
  • Aphasia Recovery Connection – Talk Tools 

Support for Family & Care Partners

• Help practice answering likely questions before the visit.
• Stay quiet when not needed; let the person with aphasia lead.
• Ask to address the provider or step in to advocate if something is not understood.
• Bring paper and a pen to help explain or take notes and review when you get home.

Real-Life Examples

“My doctor talks to him.  I can do it.  Not fair.” — Michelle, person with aphasia

“We made a doctor visit checklist that hangs on the fridge. It gives my husband confidence.” — Peter, care partner