ADULTS & SENIORS
What A Speech and Language Challenge Might Look Like In Your Home
When most people think about what a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) does, they think about children. There are lots of reasons why an adult or senior may need to see an SLP. Keep reading to see how we can help!
SWALLOWING
"My Mom is coughing and choking every time she eats or drinks. I'm really worried about her."
If the above sounds familiar, your loved one may have a swallowing disorder.
A swallowing disorder is difficulty swallowing food and liquids safely or efficiently (quickly and with ease). Signs that someone may have difficulties with swallowing:
drooling; food or liquid spills from the mouth
eating is slower & effortful
coughing or choking
food left in the mouth
Speech-language pathologists are trained to assess an individual’s ability to swallow safely and efficiently. They can help make recommendations for safe food textures. Speech Language Pathologists can also help connect you to other health professionals to ensure your nutritional needs are being met, despite swallowing challenges.
VOICE
"I teach grade 3. Lately my throat has been bothering me. I always sound like I'm just getting over a cold. Sometimes I wake up and I don't even have a voice. I need my voice to teach!"
If you can relate to this teacher, you may be experiencing a voice disorder. A number of things can cause voice disorders: nodules, polyps, cancer, acid reflux, a weak or paralyzed vocal cord, excess tension in the voice box, voice overuse or misuse. Some jobs place people at a higher risk of getting a voice disorder because of the higher demands on their voice (teachers, ministers, telemarketers, lawyers, singers, coaches, etc).
A Speech Language Pathologist can help you identify behaviours that may be damaging your voice. They can also teach you techniques to use your voice more efficiently. Hands on techniques may help reduce tension.
APHASIA
"My Dad just had a stroke. He's having trouble talking. I think he understands what we're saying to him. I don't know how to help him."
Getting the news that a loved one has had a stroke can be scary. The effects of a stroke depend on where it happened and how much damage was done. “Aphasia” means a loss of language ability, often due to a stroke. Aphasia can affect how we understand,how we speak or write, or both. Difficulties can range from mild (e.g., trouble thinking of the right words or understanding abstract language) to severe (e.g., unable to say any words or understand even single words that are written down).
Speech-language pathologists can assess an individual’s specific language impairments and then develop strategies and communication exercises to improve those language areas. Research shows that people who receive speech therapy improve by 175% to 1200% over natural recovery alone! Improvement can occur for many years after a stroke, although the sooner you start treatment (preferably within 3 months), the more gains will be made.
DYSARTHRIA
"I'm worried about my Grandpa. Lately he's talking loudly and his speech sounds like he's been drinking - but he doesn't drink."
It sounds like Grandpa has “Dysarthria”. Dysarthria is characterized by poor motor planning, programming and/or movement of speech muscles. Signs of dysarthria may include:
running out of breath while speaking
slurred or choppy sounds
no inflection
voice too high or too low, too loud or too quiet
hoarse, breathy voice
unable to move lips or tongue
difficulty sequencing the movements of the lips or tongue
Dysarthria is often the result of a stroke, but can also be caused by brain injury, degenerative disease (Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, multiple sclerosis), infection (meningitis), brain tumours or toxins (drug or alcohol abuse, carbon monoxide).
Speech-language pathologists can assess an individual’s specific speech impairments in a variety of speech tasks. Through these activities they can observe the types of speech difficulties an individual experiences and can develop exercises and compensatory strategies to improve those areas. Speech therapy is quite effective in rebuilding and/or compensating for motor speech difficulties.
COGNITIVE COMMUNICATION
"I play hockey and ended up with a bad concussion. Since then I've had trouble keeping up with conversations and explaining things to people. "
The symptoms of a brain injury vary because of the complexity of the brain. Brain injuries can be caused by a variety of things but most common are motor vehicle accidents and concussions. You may have cognitive communication issues if you have:
memory difficulties
trouble thinking of the word you want to say
difficulty organizing your thoughts
problems with impulsivity
trouble following directions
difficulty understanding and using facial expressions appropriately
conversation difficulties such as taking turns and changing topics appropriately
a hard time determining relevant versus irrelevant information in conversation or text
trouble writing
In fact, 80 -100% of individuals with a brain injury have cognitive-communication difficulties. Many of these difficulties can be subtle and go unnoticed for weeks or months. A speech language pathologist can help you regain skills and introduce strategies to compensate for difficulties.
