The 401 On Speech Therapy For Stroke Patients

Aphasia, or the difficulty in communicating with others particularly in expressing yourself through words, is among the possible complications of a stroke. But it isn’t a disease per se – instead, it’s a symptom of brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. Aside from difficulty in speaking, a stroke can also result in the difficulty in reading and writing, both of which are also crucial in communication.

Treatment Based on Type

Fortunately, aphasia can be treated or managed with speech therapy. Since no two people experience aphasia in exactly the same way, the treatment will be customized. Generally speaking, nonetheless, the treatment will be based on the type of aphasia exhibited by the concerned person.

There are four categories of aphasia:

• Anomic aphasia, or amnesia aphasia, is the least severe form. The affected person has difficulty in using the right names for people, places and objects, even events, but still has the ability to communicate through spoken language.
• Expressive aphasia involves knowing what you want to say but being unable to find the right words.
• Receptive aphasia refers to the inability to make sense of the words, both spoken and printed.
• Global aphasia is the most severe form since the affected person can neither speak nor understand language, much less even read and write. In this case, the damage to the brain’s language area was widespread and, in some cases, irreversible.

The speech language pathologist will likely consult with your primary care physician of the stroke victim in determining your type of aphasia. You may be unable to make the decision yourself, however, but you have to work at it so as to regain full control over your speech skills.

Types of Techniques

Speech therapists use a wide range of tools and techniques in the treatment of aphasia in stroke patients. If you are still able to make a decision, you should ideally discuss your treatment plan and suggest modifications. Just keep in mind that the speech therapist will likely have the knowledge and skills to determine which tools and techniques are best in your case.

Speech therapy is the most effective treatment for aphasia since it focuses on regaining speech and language skills. Your speech therapist will use a wide range of specific exercises and methods, too.

But your chances for a full recovery from aphasia will increase when speech therapy is combined with other techniques. These include the following:

• Melodic intonation therapy wherein you will sing the words that you can’t speak
• Art therapy as a way to express yourself
• Speech perception therapy wherein pictures are associated with words
• Group therapy and support group therapy
• Constraint-induced language therapy

Your doctor may also prescribe medications to facilitate your recovery from aphasia.  But even the best medicines will be of little use if you aren’t active in your speech therapy program. For more information of the speech therapy for stroke patients, please contact us for free consulation.

Source:

HK Hearing & Speech Centre

Specialist of Hearing test & assessment,

Hearing Aid Prescription, and Speech Therapy

https://www.hkhearingspeech.com