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Communication

Language & Speech Disorders

Communication is a basic human right and is critical for making social connections with the world around you.

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Speech Therapy & Aphasia

If you've had a stroke or brain injury that has changed your speech and/or language, you may have Aphasia.

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There are four primary language groups. Any or all of them can be affected by Aphasia. Here are some key characteristics:

Expression

Our Use of Language

  • Difficulty finding words

  • Speaking in single words or phrases

  • Substituting words or sounds (ie. “spoon” for ‘fork’ or “forp” for ‘fork’)

  • Making up words

Comprehension

Our Understanding of Language

  • Difficulty following conversation

  • Trouble answering questions and following directions

  • Requiring extra time to understand

  • Answering inaccurately to yes/no questions

Reading

Understanding what we read

  • Difficulty reading and comprehending single words or lengthy text

  • Trouble sounding out words

  • Having difficulty recognizing some words by sight

Writing

Written form of language

  • Difficulty writing letters, words, or sentences

  • Writing incomplete or run-on sentences

  • Using incorrect grammar in sentences

Aphasia is a loss of words, not intellect.  For more information, please visit the National Aphasia Association here. 

Speech Therapy & Motor Speech Disorders

If you've had a stroke or brain injury, you may also acquire a motor speech disorder.  There are two classifications of motor speech disorders, Apraxia of Speech and Dysarthria.

Apraxia of Speech (AOS)

AOS happens when the part of the brain that controls coordinated muscle movement is damaged

  • Trouble moving the tongue, lips, and/or jaw

  • Produces inconsistent errors

  • Groping movements of the mouth when attempting to speak

  • More difficulty as words / sentences get longer in length

Dysarthria

Dysarthria occurs when the muscles that are used to produce speech are damaged, paralyzed, or weakened

  • Speech that is hard to understand

  • Slow or fast rate of speech

  • Reduced loudness and/or other changes to voice quality (ie. strained, hoarse, breathy)

  • Speaking in short phrases due to reduced breath support 

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