About adult speech disorder therapy
There are a variety of reasons that adults may experience difficulties with speech. Dysarthria, stuttering, problems articulating, and voice problems are just a few speech issues that may arise or continue on through adulthood unless treated with adult speech therapy. Sydney speech and language pathologists work to resolve a variety of speech difficulties after making a proper diagnosis.
Areas where a speech pathologist can help include:
Recovery after disease or illness
A person’s ability to speak in a clear manner can be compromised when brain or muscle degeneration is caused by disease or illness. Adult speech therapy uses strategies that work to improve one’s ability to communicate.
Rehabilitation after injury or accident
In some cases serious injuries or accidents can have long-lasting effects on a person’s ability to speak. Enlisting the help of a Sydney speech-language pathologist will ensure the underlying physical barriers affecting a person’s speech are discovered so a proper treatment plan can be initiated.
Dysarthria
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that is caused by disease or a neurological disorder. The muscles that people use for speaking do not work properly due to miscommunications with centres in the brain due to damage to the part that controls speech.
Lifelong speech problems
Many patients of adult speech therapy have had articulatory difficulties since they were children but never effectively addressed the problem. Some speech patterns become so habitual that they are a challenge to treat in adulthood (e.g. saying ‘f’ for ‘th’ – fumb instead of thumb). However, a speech-language pathologist will tailor a program so that the best possible outcome is possible.
Voice disorders
There are a number of medical conditions, such as trachea polyps or disease of the larynx, that can cause an adult to experience voice problems. Due to the complex nature in which a person’s voice is produced, it is important that any possible underlying reasons for changes in the voice are addressed by a medical professional. Depending on the root cause of a voice disorder, a customized treatment plan will be designed.
If you have questions about adult speech disorder therapy, contact your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a speech pathologist. We‘ll provide you with a straightforward, efficient and very effective treatment plan targeted to your concerns.
