Speech Therapy for AdultsStroke

Stroke

Every patient is affected by a stroke differently and has needs and requirements that are unique to their own life.

Every patient is affected by a stroke differently and has needs and requirements that are unique to their own life. The type of language impairment from a stroke depends on which part of the brain has been affected by the stroke.

The most common impairments include the three below:

  • Speech motor skills (apraxia, dysarthria)
  • Language – the ability to understand or produce language (aphasia)
  • Thinking and memory

When the brain sustains damage due to a stroke, the damaged areas are no longer able to effectively carry out their respective functions. However, through a process referred to as neuroplasticity, the brain has the ability to rewire itself to allow undamaged areas of the brain to take over these functions.

Neuroplasticity is activated through consistent, repetitive practice. Practicing affected functions signifies to the brain that there is a demand for those functions, promoting adaptive rewiring to occur. The more frequently an affected function is practiced, the stronger the neural connections for that function become.

Speech Therapy after a stroke is an excellent way to learn some of the most effective exercises and activities to improve affected functions and promote neuroplasticity. However, while practicing Speech Therapy exercises and activities during sessions is a great start, consistent repetition is essential for neuroplasticity.

Since the brain experiences a heightened state of neuroplasticity during the first three months following a stroke, pursuing speech therapy during this time period is optimal for recovery. However, since neuroplasticity is constantly occurring, any time, even years after a stroke, is a great time to start Speech Therapy to begin making improvements.

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