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.
There are three main types of aphasia. The first, and most common, type is called Broca's aphasia. This type of aphasia affects a person's ability to find and articulate words clearly. The person may have a complete understanding of speech but often becomes frustrated when trying to get their words out. Broca's aphasia is often accompanied by muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, usually the right side.
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.
The third type of aphasia is called global aphasia. This aphasia is characterized by difficulties in the production and understanding of language. Individuals may use automatic words and phrases used in the past, though these utterances are rarely used in an appropriate context.
Speech therapy can greatly benefit most individuals afflicted by aphasia. Increasing levels of difficulty are introduced gradually during the course of therapy to allow individuals to attain their highest level of skill. The prognosis is usually quite good when therapy is started early and given priority. This typically means that therapy is started quickly after the initial stroke and the sessions are intense.
Speech therapy will usually consist of a combination of stimulating the patient's auditory, visual, and emotional senses. Treatment may also include cognitive exercises, interaction with a group, and individual sessions with a therapist. - 30453
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.
There are three main types of aphasia. The first, and most common, type is called Broca's aphasia. This type of aphasia affects a person's ability to find and articulate words clearly. The person may have a complete understanding of speech but often becomes frustrated when trying to get their words out. Broca's aphasia is often accompanied by muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, usually the right side.
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.
The third type of aphasia is called global aphasia. This aphasia is characterized by difficulties in the production and understanding of language. Individuals may use automatic words and phrases used in the past, though these utterances are rarely used in an appropriate context.
Speech therapy can greatly benefit most individuals afflicted by aphasia. Increasing levels of difficulty are introduced gradually during the course of therapy to allow individuals to attain their highest level of skill. The prognosis is usually quite good when therapy is started early and given priority. This typically means that therapy is started quickly after the initial stroke and the sessions are intense.
Speech therapy will usually consist of a combination of stimulating the patient's auditory, visual, and emotional senses. Treatment may also include cognitive exercises, interaction with a group, and individual sessions with a therapist. - 30453
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.
