April 2014

Resources for Caregivers/Adults with Speech and/or Language Impairment

April 18, 2014 by in For Adults, For Caregivers, Resources
Resources for Caregivers/Adults with Speech and/or Language Impairment

If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other neurological condition, and have noticed speech and/or language changes, the resources below may provide some helpful information.

General Information:

The American Speech and Hearing Association is always a good place to start if you have any questions about speech, language, or hearing. http://www.asha.org/bhsm/resources/

Aphasia:

Aphasia is a condition in which a person’s ability to comprehend or produce language is impaired, often as a result of a stroke, brain injury, or other type of neurological damage that impacts the areas of the brain associated with language. See the links below to learn more about this condition.

Apraxia:

Apraxia is a condition in which a person’s ability to plan motor sequences is affected.  There are several kinds of apraxia, though speech therapists can address both oral and verbal apraxia. Oral apraxia involves difficulty sequencing motor plans for any kind of oral movement (e.g., smiling, blowing out a candle) and verbal apraxia refers to problems with motor planning, specifically with regard to speech sound production for speaking, such sequencing syllables in words, or even sequencing movements to produce a sound in isolation. The resources below provide helpful information about apraxia.

Cognitive Communication Disorders

According to the American Speech and Hearing Association, a cognitive communication disorders “encompass difficulty with any aspect of communication that is affected by disruption of cognition. Communication may be verbal or nonverbal and includes listening, speaking, gesturing, reading, and writing in all domains of language. Cognition includes cognitive processes and systems (e.g., attention, perception, memory, organization, executive function). Areas of function affected by cognitive impairments include behavioral self-regulation, social interaction, activities of daily living, learning and academic performance, and vocational performance.”  (http://www.asha.org/policy/PS2005-00110/#sthash.J40zbPc7.dpuf). Cognitive communication disorders could result from stroke, or traumatic brain injury.  See the resources below for more information about cognitive communication disorders.

Fluency Disorders/Stuttering:

According to the Stuttering Foundation, “Stuttering is a communication disorder in which the flow of speech is broken by repetitions (li-li-like this), prolongations (lllllike this), or abnormal stoppages (no sound) of sounds and syllables. There may also be unusual facial and body movements associated with the effort to speak.”  For more information about stuttering, see the links below. 

If you think you or a loved one may present with any of these conditions, please do not hesitate to contact me for a consultation, as I may be able to help.