RALEIGH, N.C. — The language disorder known as aphasia has been in the headlines after actor Bruce Willis announced his diagnosis last week. 

Daniel Fenton, a speech pathologist at WakeMed, works with patients who have the language disorder. He says therapy can help.

“For some patients, it takes the form of knowing exactly what you want to say, but you just can’t get the word out all the time. For others, they struggle really to understand even a basic sentence," Fenton said.

Fenton says diagnosis does not mean a loss of intelligence.

Thanks to strides in technology, patients can have devices that serve as a way to communicate when they can’t seem to find the words.

Insurance can help cover the cost. 

"It is obviously not ideal, but when there is a patient that hasn’t been able to communicate anything, often times for weeks, being able to just get out a basic request can be a really meaningful addition to their life," Fenton said. 

Willis is not the only recognizable name to publicly announce dealing with aphasia. 

Related story: What is aphasia? Bruce Willis’ diagnosis explained

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in the TV series "Game of Thrones,” had aphasia after having an aneurysm, and the voice of UNC athletics, the late Woody Durham, was diagnosed in 2017 before his passing the following year.