Understanding common conditions that are treated in speech therapy and how our specialists can help!
You’ve probably heard of speech therapy before, but are you aware of the different conditions it can treat? If you, your child, or someone else you know is struggling to communicate properly, chances are speech therapy can help!
Speech therapy evaluates and treats speech disorders and communication difficulties. It aids in the development of skills such as comprehension, clarity, voice, fluency, and sound production.
Our care plans at Aspen Rehab can be used to treat speech disorders in children as well as adult speech impairments caused by stroke, brain injury, or other conditions. Speech therapy helps patients not only resolve symptoms of their condition, but improve confidence, peer relationships, and the ability to engage in normal activities.
Wondering if speech therapy is a good fit for you? Contact our licensed speech therapists at Aspen Rehab today!
Common conditions that speech therapy treats
- Aphasia. Aphasia makes it difficult to read, write, speak, and understand language. Often, aphasia develops when areas of the brain that process language are damaged by stroke or injury.
- Apraxia. People with apraxia know what they want to say but have trouble communicating and forming words. Apraxia patients may also have trouble with reading, writing, swallowing, or operating other motor skills.
- Cognitive-communication disorders. When the area of your brain that controls your thinking ability is damaged, it can lead to communication difficulties. Functions like listening, speaking, memory, and problem-solving skills may be impaired in people with cognitive-communication disorders.
- Dysarthria. Dysarthria is often the result of a stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other nervous system disorders. This condition can cause slow or slurred speech, changes in the tone of voice, or difficulty moving your mouth, tongue, and lips.
Speech and communication issues can be caused by a number of disorders, such as genetic abnormalities, emotional stress, and trauma to the brain. During your initial consultation at Aspen Rehab, our speech therapists will consider your symptoms as well as any underlying conditions and contributing health factors.
What are speech therapy sessions like?
Speech therapy sessions are different for children and adults due to age, maturity, and developmental factors. However, speech therapy focuses on improving fluency, muscular function, and cognitive communication with specific exercises.
Your initial session at Aspen Rehab will begin with a comprehensive assessment, which is a time when your therapist will get to know you and your condition a little better. During the appointment, you and your therapist will discuss your medical history, general health, and current difficulties with speaking.
After identifying the root cause of your speech impairment, we will develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your condition and current symptoms.
Some techniques that are commonly used in speech therapy include:
- Tongue exercises. These help train your tongue to move in coordinated patterns.
- Smiling. Smiling exercises work to improve motor skills by moving your jaw and facial muscles. Our speech therapists may also have you pucker your lips or move your mouth in different positions to exercise the muscles.
- Reading out loud. Reading out loud is good practice for those that aren’t able to move their mouth and tongue properly. This can also help patients identify different words and sounds to communicate better.
- Playing word games. Memory games, word searches, and crossword puzzles may be incorporated into a treatment plan. These can help improve cognitive function and thinking skills.
Our speech therapists at Aspen Rehab strive to make speech therapy as entertaining and fun as possible while challenging our patients and creating realistic goals.
Book an appointment today!
Speech disorders can interfere with social relationships, recreational activities, school, and even daily activities. Fortunately, our licensed speech therapists know exactly how to improve symptoms, restore functions, and help you or your child overcome a speech impairment.
Call our team at Aspen Rehab to get started today!
