Rehabilitation Speech Therapy

The Benefits of Speech Therapy and its impact on Rehabilitation

Speech therapy can positively help individuals in the rehabilitation process in assisting with communication and swallowing difficulties. Speech Pathologists are trained professionals who assess and treat people with communication and swallowing difficulties. While many of these communication difficulties often arise or become apparent early in life, some communication difficulties may occur later in life as a consequence of stroke, head injury, progressive neurological diseases, or as a result of complex and/or chronic medical conditions.

Speech Pathologists are often employed in rehabilitation clinics and hospitals where they work to provide support for patients and families through the provision of counselling and education about communication and swallowing difficulties. They also work to develop new practices to assist patients in optimising functional communication ability.

What does speech therapy involve?

A Speech Pathologist will assess and provide differential diagnosis and management plans for patients with swallowing (dysphagia) difficulties, as well as communication disorders relating to speech (apraxia/dysarthria), language (both fluent and non-fluent aphasia) and voice. Speech therapy ideally aims to assist individuals to efficiently and effectively communicate; in particular, maximising independence and participation in the community. Therapy programs are tailored to meet the needs of the individual and their family through client-centred and family-centred approaches to management. These evidence-based therapy programs assist in reducing barriers to participation and activity in society in order to optimise a patient’s functional communication. Functional communication goals are ideally tailored to the individual and their family; these goals may include returning to work, living independently, joining support groups, and improving communication with relatives and friends. The benefit of speech therapy in aiding communication is invaluable in restoring quality of life.

With communication being such an integral part of life, having it somehow taken away or damaged can cause devastating changes to an individual’s quality of life. Speech Pathologists (also known as Speech Therapists) aim to enhance the quality of life for a person by optimising communication potential.

Contact us for results focused speech therapy in Sydney

This article was written by our Speech Pathologist Eugene Pillay who is a Speech Pathology Australia member.

If you have questions about speech therapy and its impact on rehabilitation, contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a speech pathologist, Contact us today!