SPEECH THERAPY

Speech therapy involves treating conditions that affect a person’s ability to communicate, eat, and/or swallow.  It is typically provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), who, depending on the patient’s condition, may work with a psychologist, physiotherapist, or psychiatrist.

Speech therapy for seniors is often necessary when recovering from the debilitating events such as an head, face, or throat injury, or a stroke, brain tumor, brain hemorrhage, or neural disorder. It may be necessary to due to diseases impacting the nervous system (such as Parkinson’s) or loss of mental faculties (such as dementia).  Difficulty in swallowing my be due to stroke, pneumonia, changes in physical attributes (such as teeth,  gums, or shape of the mouth) , or even “dry mouth” from aging or as a side effect from taking medication.

Speech therapy for language disorders starts with determining the extent of the disorder, exploring the underlying cause, addressing the cause with the patient, and then using a variety of exercises to help the patient overcome the disorder.

Types and Causes of Speech Disorders that Speech Therapy can Address

Below are some of the most common types and causes of speech disorders that speech therapy can address.

Name Symptoms Common Causes Techniques
Aphasia Trouble finding the right word for thoughts, or speech is halting or unclear. Brain injury; brain tumor; stroke; brain hemorrhage Helping patient to concentrate in order to find the right words, as well as respond to verbal and vocal cues.
Apraxia Using words out of order and/or having trouble moving lips correctly to form words. Brain injury; brain tumor; stroke; brain hemorrhage Asking patient to repeat certain sounds, and then try to make those sounds into words. Asking the patient to speak slowly, at least at first, in order to make the words, or say them in the correct order.
Dysphagia Difficulty swallowing Stroke; bouts of pneumonia; changes in teeth, gums and shape of mouth; “dry mouth” from aging or as a side effect from taking medication. Recommending special positions for eating, certain foods, or modified utensils.
Dysarthria Slow rate of speech, speech that is mumbled, slurred, or hard to understand. Diseases impacting nervous system, such as Parkinson’s. Having patient work on tongue and lip movement, breathing techniques, and speaking more slowly to have time to form words.
Dementia Difficulty finding the right words, particularly the names of people.  Substituting incorrect words, or not finding the words at all. Loss of mental faculties with age. Teaching person to rely more on visual clues, simple words, familiar sounds, and so forth.

It is important to realize when thinking about speech that there are many functions that go into speech, including:

  • Speaking
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Comprehension
  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Visual processing
  • Problem-solving

Your speech therapist and you will work together to identify on which of these areas of speech you will need to work, and developing and carrying out the appropriate speech therapy exercises.

Sampling of Representative Speech Therapy Products

Below is a sampling of products and equipment that are designed to assist in speech therapy. Click on the links to find out more information, see other products selections, and if you like, to make a purchase from one of our providers.

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MKgames Social situations – 50 Photo Cards, Learning Products, Speech Therapy for Kids and Adults. Encourages Language Development, Communication and Conversation

$44.84
 
  • Social Situations Photo Cards- was developed by an occupational therapist & special needs teacher, experienced in using creative tools for experiential play with their clients. Fun, educational and promotes cognitive skills for players of all ages. Ideal for supporting articulation & communication development.
  • Perfect tool for the professional toolkit of all: therapists, educators, parents, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers for work with patients who have alzheimer's, dementia and autism. Perfect for 1:1 and group work
  • Perfect classroom activity for early learners or special education classrooms. Learning Game and toy Suitable for children and adults with autism, Aspergers, ADHD, dementia, developmental delay, or speech/language delay; or to anyone first learning or re-learning basic language skills
  • Contains: This kit of 50 large and durable photo cards features various social situations to generate conversation. Size 7.7" x 5". Enjoy playing and teaching with this set of high-quality, educational photo cards