Surviving a stroke is a huge thing, and it can seem insurmountable to get back to 'life as usual'. Unfortunately, that may never happen - there is no magic cure. However, with speech therapy there can be rehabilitation and you can achieve your highest potential.
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.
Most victims of stroke who have aphasia suffer from Broca's aphasia. Broca's aphasia affects the person's ability to speak coherent words and sentences. Others may be affected by Wernicke's aphasia, which is the inability to understand spoken words. If not either of those, it could be global aphasia, which affects both the ability to speak and the ability to understand.
The second type is Wernicke's. Wernicke's aphasia affects the language comprehension area of the brain. People with Wernicke's type of speech impairment have trouble understanding the spoken word. Their speech is often fluent but makes no comprehensible sense to others. Word finding problems, reading and writing problems also plague these individuals. People with Wernicke's aphasia are normally unaware of their speech errors but will try to self correct themselves at times.
Global aphasia occurs when both areas of the brain have been compromised. This is the third type of aphasia that can occur. People with global aphasia have trouble speaking and might not understand what others are saying, but may still be able to convey their thought by writing them.
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.
Most victims of stroke who have aphasia suffer from Broca's aphasia. Broca's aphasia affects the person's ability to speak coherent words and sentences. Others may be affected by Wernicke's aphasia, which is the inability to understand spoken words. If not either of those, it could be global aphasia, which affects both the ability to speak and the ability to understand.
The second type is Wernicke's. Wernicke's aphasia affects the language comprehension area of the brain. People with Wernicke's type of speech impairment have trouble understanding the spoken word. Their speech is often fluent but makes no comprehensible sense to others. Word finding problems, reading and writing problems also plague these individuals. People with Wernicke's aphasia are normally unaware of their speech errors but will try to self correct themselves at times.
Global aphasia occurs when both areas of the brain have been compromised. This is the third type of aphasia that can occur. People with global aphasia have trouble speaking and might not understand what others are saying, but may still be able to convey their thought by writing them.
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 Colorado, Karen Barta of Colorado Speech Therapy Services is available for initial in-take interviews and evaluations.
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