Communication difficulties can affect people with stroke, brain injury, brain tumours and neurological conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Myasthenia Gravis, MND and Huntingdon's Disease. Symptoms can vary, from a 'tip of the tongue' sensation to severe difficulties understanding language and putting words together.
Common communication difficulties include:
A language impairment affecting one or more aspects of a person's ability to speak, understand, read or write. Things that might go wrong include:
- struggling to find the words or finish sentences
- saying the wrong words
- difficulty following the conversation
A speech impairment affecting motor components of speech such as articulation (slurred speech), pitch and volume.
Apraxia of Speech (Dyspraxia)
A motor impairment affecting a person's ability to plan and co-ordinate speech motor movements. Typically, dyspraxia can vary in impact from mild to severe. Someone with dyspraxia might:
- stumble over target words
- be unable to make any meaningful sounds, despite knowing what they want to say
Cognitive Communication Disorder
An impairment of the cognitive processes impacting planning and sequencing, self-monitoring, attention, memory, pragmatics and 'social rules'.
Speech and Language Therapists assess and diagnose communication impairments, working closely with the client, family and carers. They will identify goals to work towards in therapy sessions and develop a unique programme for that individual.