Genevieve Richardson

Yes, adults can benefit from speech pathology services. We specialize in communication and articulation (how you say sounds and words). Google speech-language pathologists in your town and then explain to them what you want to work on. They can help you. Best of wishes.

An adult can definitely see a speech pathologist. If you are having trouble pronouncing words, search for a speech pathologist who works with either articulation, if the SLP works with kids, or dysarthria if the SLP works with adult clients. Often, you can find SLPs who work with both kids and adults. They will be able to help you pronounce words. Best wishes.

The length of time a patient attends speech therapy after a stroke varies widely, influenced by factors such as the severity of speech or language difficulties, areas affected (like aphasia, apraxia, or dysarthria), individual progress, and personal goals. However, your concerns about your grandfather’s therapy suggest it may be beneficial to explore different therapy approaches and potentially seek a therapist whose methods align more closely with his needs and goals.

If you're considering finding a new therapist, whether in a hospital setting or private practice, here are some questions that can help determine their approach:

1. How would you describe your overall approach to therapy? Do you focus more on specific impairments or the patient's participation in daily life?
2. Can you explain how you set therapy goals? Are they based on standardized assessments or tailored to individual life goals?
3. Do you incorporate real-life scenarios and activities into your therapy sessions?
4. What is the role of family and caregivers in your therapy process?
5. How do you adapt your therapy if a patient’s goals or circumstances change?

These questions can help you understand whether the SLP practices a traditional, impairment-based approach or a more holistic method like the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA).

Regarding therapy settings:

- Hospital-based clinics often lean towards an impairment-based approach, especially soon after a stroke. This focus is driven by the immediate need to address specific impairments following a medical event.

- Private Practice therapists might be more inclined towards diverse approaches, including LPAA. They usually have greater flexibility to tailor therapy to individual lifestyles and personal goals, as they operate with fewer constraints than larger healthcare institutions.

Considering these points, talking with your grandfather and his current therapist about his therapy is crucial. Understanding his views and reassessing his goals might also help determine the best path forward. If he feels that his current therapy isn't aligned with his personal objectives or interests, exploring other therapists, especially those in private practice who might employ LPAA, could be a beneficial next step. This approach focuses on enabling patients to participate in life activities that are meaningful to them, which might resonate more with your grandfather’s needs and motivations.

I understand your concern about your mother's ability to regain clear speech after her stroke. It's a question that many families in your situation have. However, without specific diagnostic information about your mother's speech, language, and cognitive abilities post-stroke, it's challenging to provide a definitive answer.

Recovery after a stroke varies significantly from person to person due to numerous factors. These factors include the location and severity of the stroke, the individual’s overall health, their age, the level of support they have, and how quickly they began speech therapy after the stroke.

Your mother must work with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who has experience in rehabilitating speech, language, and cognitive abilities after a stroke. The SLP will assess your mother’s abilities and develop a personalized treatment plan. Depending on her specific needs, this plan may involve various exercises and strategies to improve her speech and language skills.

The journey to recovery can be gradual and requires patience, persistence, and support from family and caregivers. Stay optimistic and encourage your mother to participate actively in her therapy sessions.

Best wishes to you and your mother on this journey. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further guidance.

I'm glad you reached out with this question. It's great to hear that you're seeking information to support your mother's journey through speech therapy after her stroke. Adult speech therapy, especially for slurred speech due to a stroke, is a bit different from the speech therapy sessions for children, but the core aim is the same: improving communication.

After a stroke, the initial step in speech therapy is to conduct a thorough evaluation. This means the therapist will assess your mother's ability to produce sounds, observing her muscle coordination and how well she can pronounce syllables, words, and sentences and engage in longer forms of speech.

The treatment is highly personalized and tailored to your mother's specific needs. If she struggles with certain sounds or words, the therapy will focus on those. The sessions might include exercises to strengthen the muscles used in speech, practicing the pronunciation of challenging words, or working on the rhythm and flow of speech to make it more understandable.

For instance, a typical session could involve practicing syllable combinations, moving on to words and then sentences, depending on her progress. Activities aimed at improving breath control and pacing, which are crucial for clear speech, may also be included. The therapist might use various tools and techniques, including visual aids, repetition exercises, and even technology-assisted therapies, to facilitate improvement.

The ultimate goal is to enhance your mother's speech clarity, aiming for the highest level of understandable speech possible. The focus is not just on individual sounds or words but on ensuring she can be understood in everyday conversations.

Every person's recovery journey is unique, and progress can vary. The therapist will continually assess and adjust the therapy plan to align with her evolving needs. Your support, encouragement and a skilled therapist can make a significant difference in her recovery.

I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what to expect in adult speech therapy sessions for slurred speech due to a stroke. Feel free to ask if you have more questions or need further assistance!

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an individual with a disability experiences significant limitations in one or more major life activities due to a physical or mental impairment. Specifically, for individuals who stutter, the ADA recognizes that substantial limitations in the crucial life activity of speaking may qualify them as having a disability. This recognition is crucial, as it encompasses not only the physical challenges posed by stuttering but also addresses societal prejudices and misconceptions about disabilities, which can be equally disabling. It's important to understand that perceptions and discrimination based =

At six years old, I assume she is already in school? She should have been screened by her teacher and a speech pathologist, especially if she has a lisp. In some children, some sounds don't develop until later in their development, but speech therapy is necessary to improve a lisp. A speech pathologist has the knowledge and experience to help your daughter. If she has yet to see the speech pathologist at her school, you can request an evaluation through the special education department of your school district. You can also seek an evaluation and treatment with a speech pathology clinic outside the school district. Google "speech pathology for a lisp + your town + state." When you call a clinic, be sure to ask for a clinician who is experienced in the treatment of a lisp. Best wishes!

Yes, speech therapy can help her. I would have you consider finding a speech pathologist specializing in autism so that you maximize progress. Finding a specialist is key.

A speech pathologist is a specialist in articulation, the motor movement of the mouth to produce sounds, syllables, words, etc.). She understands the anatomy and physiology of speech production and can train your son how to produce these sounds. Best wishes!

Yes, ear infections can impact speech. Babies need their hearing to learn about their environment and about speech. Think of a baby as a sponge, absorbing everything around them. In general, an infection in the ear can be a build of of mucous that block the transmission of sounds, Think of it like trying to hear underwater. See your pediatrician to address the ear infection(s). Best wishes.