 Causes of
Speech & Language
Disorders
- ALS or Lou Gehrig’s
Disease
- Brain tumors
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Stroke
- Traumatic
Brain Injury
- Vocal cord abuse/paralysis
Common Types of Speech & Language
Disorders
Aphasia–difficulty
with speaking, understanding, reading, writing,
and using numbers (see
side bar).
Cognitive Deficits–problems
with memory, reasoning, problem-solving,
and attention.
Dysarthria–weakness
in the muscles that enable one to speak.
Oral Apraxia–difficulty
planning/coordinating muscle movement of
the face and
tongue.
Voice disorders–changes
in pitch, loudness, and vocal
quality. Treatment
Your speech language pathologist,
in collaboration with other members of your health
care
team, will work with you to identify your
goals
and priorities
and develop a comprehensive plan of care.
Your plan may include:
-
Alternative communication device
recommendations
- Auditory comprehension therapy
- Community Resources
- Cueing techniques
-
Gesturing
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- Language sequencing
-
Melodic intonation therapy
- Oral-motor
exercises
-
Patient/Family/Caregiver education
-
Reading comprehension therapy
- Word drills
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For more information
about us please call 373-6175. |
|
Family
members of an individual with aphasia
are encouraged to:
- Simplify
language by using short, uncomplicated
sentences.
- Repeat
the content words or
write down key words
to clarify
meaning as
needed.
- Maintain
a natural conversational manner
appropriate for an
adult.
- Minimize
distractions, such
as a blaring
radio,
whenever
possible.
- Include
the person with
aphasia
in
conversations.
- Ask
for and
value the
opinion of
the
person
with
aphasia,
especially
regarding
family
matters.
- Encourage
any
type of
communication, whether
it is
speech, gesture,
pointing, or
drawing.
- Avoid
correcting the individual's
speech.
- Allow
the
individual plenty
of time to talk.
- Help
the individual become
involved outside the home. Seek out support groups such
as stroke clubs.
Community Resource
for stroke survivors
Mid
Coast Hospital sponsors a
unique program called Communicate
After Stroke. The
program affords stroke survivors
with communication disorders an opportunity
to practice their communication strategies
after discharge from speech therapy.
Scheduled
the first and third Tuesdays of every
month from 1:00-2:00 p.m.,
the program is facilitated by a speech
pathologist. The program is listed
with the National
Aphasia Association.
Please call 373-6175 for more
information. |
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