Losing the ability to communicate with those around you can be a frightening thought. For those who develop the condition aphasia, that’s exactly what happens. They lose the ability to speak, as well as the ability to write and read, requiring assistance from speech therapy professionals.
When Does Aphasia Develop?
Aphasia most often occurs after a stroke or a head injury. If your loved one is in recovery from a stroke, he might be struggling with his ability to communicate in the way he used to. The thoughts and ideas are still there, but he cannot communicate them.
It can often occur after a bad fall at home where the head is injured or after a bad car accident with a head injury. In less common instances, aphasia can come on gradually from a brain tumor or a degenerative disease.
The damage to the brain during any of these conditions is what then leads to aphasia. A lack of blood in the brain causes brain cell death or damage in areas that control language. Depending on which part(s) of the brain were affected determines which symptoms of aphasia your loved one will have.
Aphasia Symptoms
Symptoms can vary from person to person and in strength. There are many aphasia patterns, and your loved one’s physician and speech therapy provider will determine which aphasia pattern your loved one has based on which of these symptoms he exhibits.
- Speaking primarily in short or incomplete sentences. Your loved one may suddenly stop speaking his train of thought.
- Speaking in sentences that don’t make sense. He may begin one sentence but complete it with another different thought or say something that doesn’t make sense, such as “The sky sure is prickly cereal feet,” without realizing it doesn’t make sense.
- He might not be able to recollect a very common word like door or hello.
- He might use the wrong words or use sounds within words that don’t apply.
- His sentences may not contain words at all, and they can sound like he’s speaking a foreign language.
- He may not understand what you say or what he reads.
- If asked to write down his thoughts, the words he writes may have no connection, creating a nonsensical sentence.
Speech Therapy Can Help
Your loved one’s doctor will most likely recommend speech therapy and language therapy. If your loved one is currently battling another ailment such as cancer, you can request to have someone come to the home to help with speech therapy to prevent exposing your loved one to other possible bacteria and germs found in common areas. At-home speech therapy can be great for anyone struggling with anxiety about visiting a clinic regularly.
Speech therapy is often successful in helping your loved one relearn how to communicate. It will focus on restoring as much language as possible, as well as teaching new skills for communicating, such as sign language. Three components to help increase the success rate of speech therapy are:
- Start as soon as possible. If your loved one had a stroke or brain injury, beginning speech therapy immediately will be most effective.
- Practice it a lot with others. Finding a safe environment to practice speaking again and understanding is paramount for success.
- Use a computer-based program. Your loved one’s speech therapist may ask him to practice using computer-assisted technology as well. Computer programs have been created that are great for relearning verbs and word sounds.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Speech Therapy in Hollywood, FL, please contact the caring staff at Actify Home Care today at (954) 902-6049
Actify Home Care provides exceptional home and facility care for anyone in Broward County, including Ft. Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Parkland, Sunrise, Plantation, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Tamarac, Coral Springs, Miramar, Florida, and surrounding areas.
We offer services all around the South Florida area, if you have questions for us or don’t see your area listed just ask, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today!
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