A stroke can affect a person’s language faculties: understanding language and/or using language to speak, read and write. Speech patterns may also be affected. See below how speech-language therapy can help.
How Do Strokes Affect Speech?
There are different types of strokes. The most common is called an ischemic stroke, which causes the brain’s blood supply to be significantly reduced. The brain cannot be provided vital oxygen and nutrients it needs. Depending on where the stroke happened in the brain, this damage can lead to a variety of disabilities, including speech and language problems.
Common Speech and Language Diagnoses
There are three communication disorders that can happen after a stroke. A thorough evaluation from a speech-language therapist can help you make the most informed treatment decisions.
What Does Speech and Language Therapy Involve?
Many post-stroke patients will regain much of their normal speech function over time. Others require more intensive treatment to aid in their recovery.
Regardless, if you’ve suffered a stroke and have subsequent communication problems, please feel free to contact The-Speech-Therapist. You do not need a referral from your GP. Speech therapists are communication experts, and they’ll work with you, your family, and your care team to help you strengthen your communication abilities.
Before treatment starts, a comprehensive evaluation should be done to assess your speech strengths and weaknesses, better understand how communication challenges are affecting your everyday life, and diagnose the nature of your problem.
Based on this information and your communication goals, as well as your general health information following a stroke, I develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. It may involve a variety of speech therapy techniques and practical activities to help you regain your communication skills. If you have dysarthria, therapy can also include physical exercises to rebuild and strengthen the muscles involved in speech.
When the significant people in your life become actively involved (this can include your spouse, friends and family, and care staff) it may benefit you better. I’ll also arm your family with tools, education, and activities so that communication skills can be practiced and reinforced at home throughout your daily life.
If your verbal communication is severely impacted, alternative ways to express your thoughts may be necessary. This is called Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and it can involve gesturing, electronic devices, whiteboards, picture boards, and more.