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What is Stroke Speech Therapy?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Stroke speech therapy is a form of speech therapy which is designed to help stroke victims regain the ability to communicate and address the physical and cognitive deficits which can be a legacy of a stroke. The sooner speech therapy is provided after a stroke, the better the prognosis for the patient; many speech therapists who specialize in stroke treatment practice in hospitals so that they can work with patients as soon as they are stabilized. Both adult and pediatric stroke speech therapy are available, with approaches which differ, depending on the age of the patient.
A stroke can deal a lot of damage to the brain. Many stroke victims experience aphasia, language impairment caused by damage to the areas of the brain involved in processing language. Patients may also have trouble speaking after a stroke due to loss of muscle control and muscle weakness in the mouth and throat which slur the victim's words or make it difficult to form speech. A speech-language pathologist can address these issues in stroke speech therapy, helping the patient re-establish communications skills.
Depending on the severity of the stroke, a patient's language skills may make a full recovery during stroke speech therapy, or the therapy may simply help the patient communicate more clearly, or help the patient develop new methods of communication to compensate for damage caused by stroke. Language deficits caused by strokes are often very frustrating for patients because they may feel like they are trapped inside and unable to communicate, and as a result, stroke speech therapists must also be compassionate, patient caregivers who support their patients through psychological outbursts in addition to difficulty with speech as they undergo therapy.
Studies on stroke victims have shown that in addition to early intervention, intensive therapy also helps. Stroke speech therapy may be grueling in the first days and weeks after the stroke as the therapist uses a variety of speech therapy activities to stimulate the patient and get him or her communicating successfully. These activities can include things like singing, repeating lists, answering questions, and relearning the physical mechanisms involved in speech.
Receiving stroke speech therapy doesn't just help patients communicate. It can address problems with swallowing which emerge in the wake of a stroke, and the stimulation of the brain may also facilitate recovery from other neurological deficits, helping the patient reach a normal activity level after a stroke. Speech therapy is also psychologically beneficial for stroke patients, which can contribute to an improved prognosis.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
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By: adimasThe human brain, including blood vessels that can be involved in a stroke. -
![A diagram of an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke.]()
By: AlilaA diagram of an ischemic stroke and a hemorrhagic stroke. -
![A sudden loss of feeling that affects the hand and the arm could be a warning sign of an impending stroke.]()
By: Tracy WhitesideA sudden loss of feeling that affects the hand and the arm could be a warning sign of an impending stroke. -
![Using illicit drugs can increase an individual's risk of stroke.]()
By: aaabbcUsing illicit drugs can increase an individual's risk of stroke. -
![Individuals who have experienced a stroke may experience loss of muscle control necessary to perform ordinary tasks, such as teeth brushing.]()
By: Photographee.euIndividuals who have experienced a stroke may experience loss of muscle control necessary to perform ordinary tasks, such as teeth brushing. -
![Speech therapy may help someone who is suffering from facial paralysis as a result of a stroke.]()
By: sergmarSpeech therapy may help someone who is suffering from facial paralysis as a result of a stroke. -
![Individuals who are overweight face a greater risk of having a stroke.]()
By: konami11Individuals who are overweight face a greater risk of having a stroke.
Discussion Comments
Life after a stroke can be a difficult road to recovery, depending on how devastating the stroke was. For some, it may be a turn for the worst, but for others, it may result in difficulties which are curable with therapy and medicine. Finding a high quality therapist and trusted diagnosis and medicine is important.
Speech therapy for strokes can involved a lot of new theories and methods which are constantly being improved and can vary depending on both the preference of the therapist and the specific case of the patient. Therapists should learn to be flexible with these methods and apply the correct one where needed.
After a stroke, coping with a loss of speech and comprehensive ability can be quite difficult, and that is why it is helpful to hire an understanding speech therapist to help the person cope and aid the family in emotional improvement. This practice is one which requires tough skin and a big heart, in addition to all the details of learning that may be required.
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