Speech Therapy for Stroke Survivors can provide a great deal of support in helping the survivors achieve their highest potential. Make no mistake - there is no curing the damage, but there can be rehabilitation of the remaining abilities.
Returning to everyday life after a stroke can be quite challenging. If there has been speech impairment, regaining normal speech can be a long and frustrating process. Loss of speech, also known as aphasia, affects more than 20% of people who have suffered a stroke. Difficulties can arise with word formation and articulation, the ability to understand speech, and may even affect the ability to read or write.
The main types of aphasia are Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia and global aphasia. The most common type is Broca's aphasia, named for the person who identified the area of the brain where language is formed. This type of stroke inhibits a person's ability to create and articulate words. The patient may be able to understand others and want to respond vocally, but can't seem to get the words out.
Aphasia results from damage to the areas of the brain that control language. In Broca's aphasia, the area was deprived of nutrient-rich blood long enough to cause damage to the center that enables a person to form and articulate new words. In Wernicke's aphasia, the center that processes words into understandable concepts sustains damage. With global aphasia, both areas are damaged, resulting in difficulty communicating and comprehension.
With global aphasia, which is the third type of aphasia, both areas are damaged, resulting in difficulty communicating and comprehension.
The vast majority of cases of aphasia can be treated by engaging a speech pathologist as soon as possible. Most speech therapists will use a combination of auditory, and visual stimulation. Behavioral therapy, group therapy, and one-on-one interactions with the therapist are also commonly used treatment methods.
Optimally, treatment should be undertaken for an average of not less than 8 hours per week until the patient is at or near full function. The studies showed that treatments given for fewer than 8 hours per week were less productive.
Returning to everyday life after a stroke can be quite challenging. If there has been speech impairment, regaining normal speech can be a long and frustrating process. Loss of speech, also known as aphasia, affects more than 20% of people who have suffered a stroke. Difficulties can arise with word formation and articulation, the ability to understand speech, and may even affect the ability to read or write.
The main types of aphasia are Broca's aphasia, Wernicke's aphasia and global aphasia. The most common type is Broca's aphasia, named for the person who identified the area of the brain where language is formed. This type of stroke inhibits a person's ability to create and articulate words. The patient may be able to understand others and want to respond vocally, but can't seem to get the words out.
Aphasia results from damage to the areas of the brain that control language. In Broca's aphasia, the area was deprived of nutrient-rich blood long enough to cause damage to the center that enables a person to form and articulate new words. In Wernicke's aphasia, the center that processes words into understandable concepts sustains damage. With global aphasia, both areas are damaged, resulting in difficulty communicating and comprehension.
With global aphasia, which is the third type of aphasia, both areas are damaged, resulting in difficulty communicating and comprehension.
The vast majority of cases of aphasia can be treated by engaging a speech pathologist as soon as possible. Most speech therapists will use a combination of auditory, and visual stimulation. Behavioral therapy, group therapy, and one-on-one interactions with the therapist are also commonly used treatment methods.
Optimally, treatment should be undertaken for an average of not less than 8 hours per week until the patient is at or near full function. The studies showed that treatments given for fewer than 8 hours per week were less productive.
About the Author:
If you are searching for a Speech Therapist in Denver, Colorado,, Karen Barta of Colorado Speech Therapy Services is available for initial in-take interviews and evaluations.
