Adults may need speech therapy for a variety of reasons. They may have suffered a stroke or another type of brain injury that has affected their speech. Other factors that can affect adult speech is conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or ALS. Some adults may need speech therapy to help them recover from a laryngectomy or the removal of their voice box. Whatever the reason, speech therapy can help adults improve their communication skills. Read this blog to learn more.
In this article we will discuss:
Common Speech Disorders Requiring Speech Therapy
There are different myths about speech therapy that make people think that it is only for kids. In this paragraph, we will be talking about many reasons why adults need a speech therapist.
Speech-language pathologists are professionals who diagnose and treat individuals with communication disorders. They work with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Here are seven reasons why an adult may need to see a speech therapist:
1. Dysarthria
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that can be caused by damage to the nerves or muscles involved in speech production. It is caused by a variety of conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis. This can make it difficult to produce clear speech. If you have trouble producing certain sounds, it can make it difficult to be understood by others.
Adults can benefit from a speech therapy too
A speech therapist can help you learn how to produce these sounds correctly. In adult speech therapy, activities include exercises to improve muscle strength and control, as well as practice producing the correct sounds.
2. Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a disorder that makes it difficult to swallow. This can be caused by damage to the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing. It can also be caused by an obstruction in the throat or esophagus. Dysphagia can make it difficult to eat and drink. It can also lead to choking, coughing, and aspiration (when liquids or food enter the lungs).
If you have difficulty swallowing, a speech therapist can help you learn exercises and strategies to improve your ability to swallow. Adult speech therapy may include learning how to relax your throat muscles or changing the way you eat and what to eat.
3. Aphasia
Aphasia is a communication disorder that can occur after a stroke or brain injury. It can cause difficulty with speaking, understanding, reading, and writing.
More specifically, aphasia can affect expressive language. Expressive language is the ability to use words and sentences to communicate ideas. This includes the ability to produce speech sounds correctly, use words correctly, and put words together to form sentences.
A speech therapist can help you regain some of your lost language skills, as well as focus on what some know as "speaking therapy". Adult speech therapy may include learning new words, practicing using language, and learning alternative communication strategies.
4. Apraxia
Apraxia is a motor speech disorder that can make it difficult to produce the correct sounds to form words. It is often caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control movement. A speech therapist can help you learn new ways to produce speech sounds correctly. Adult speech therapy may include exercises to improve muscle control and practice producing the correct sounds.
5. Voice disorders
Voice disorders can cause problems with pitch, volume, and quality of the voice.
A speech therapist can help you learn how to produce a more natural-sounding voice. In adult speech therapy, activities may include exercises to improve muscle control and breath support, as well as practice using the voice correctly.
6. Dementia
Dementia is a cognitive disorder that can cause problems with memory, thinking, and language.
A speech therapist can help you or your loved one manage the symptoms of dementia. Adult speech therapy may include memory games, problem-solving exercises, and practice using alternative communication strategies.
7. Social communication disorders
Social communication disorders can make it difficult to interact with others. For example, they may have problems with understanding and using social cues, such as body language and eye contact. In addition, social communication problems can also include difficulty with turn-taking in conversations.
A speech therapist can help you learn how to improve your social communication skills. During adult speech therapy, exercises may include practice with social skills, such as turn-taking and conversation starters.
Note! These disorders differ depending on the cause and severity. This is only a list of common disorders that an adult might see a speech therapist for!
What’s the difference between Dysarthria vs aphasia
Dysarthria vs aphasia. These two communication disorders are sometimes confused because they can both disorders can cause problems with communication. However, they are different disorders. Different points can prove dysarthria vs aphasia.
Dysarthria vs aphasia:
Aphasia is a language disorder. It can cause problems with understanding and using language. It is often caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language. On the other hand, Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that can be caused by damage to the nerves or muscles involved in speech production. This can make it difficult to produce clear speech.
Aphasia can make it difficult to understand and use language. Dysarthria can make it difficult to produce clear speech.
What’s the difference between dysphagia vs aphasia
Dyshagia vs aphasia. Just like dysarthria vs aphasia, these two terms are also misused quite often. Different points can prove dysphagia vs aphasia.
Dysphagia vs aphasia:
Aphasia is a language disorder that can cause problems with understanding and using language. It is often caused by damage to the parts of the brain that control language. Dysphagia is a disorder that can make it difficult to swallow. This can be caused by damage to the muscles or nerves involved in swallowing.
Aphasia can make it difficult to understand and use language. Dysphagia can make it difficult to swallow.
7 Reasons why adults need a speech therapist
All these speech and language disorders can make it difficult to communicate with others. A speech therapist can help you or your loved one regain lost skills and learn new strategies to improve communication.
1. Gain confidence
One of the main reasons why adults seek speech therapy is to regain confidence. After suffering from a stroke or brain injury, many people feel self-conscious about their communication abilities. A speech therapist can help you or your loved one build confidence by providing guidance and support.
2. Improve relationships
Difficulty communicating can put a strain on personal relationships. A speech therapist can help you learn how to communicate more effectively with your family and friends. As a result, it can improve your overall quality of life.
3. Return to work
Another reason why adults need speech therapy is for them to return back to work. Many jobs require good communication skills. If you have trouble communicating, it may be difficult to perform your job duties correctly. A speech therapist can help you improve your communication skills so that you can return to work.
4. Be more independent
Many activities of daily living require good communication skills. In some cases, an adult might need to communicate with his/her doctor or take care of bills and other paperwork. If you have difficulty communicating, it can make everyday tasks more difficult. A speech therapist can help you become more independent by teaching you how to communicate more effectively.
5. Improve their quality of life
Good communication is essential for a high quality of life. It allows you to interact with others, participate in activities, and express your needs and wants. If you have trouble communicating, it can make daily life more challenging. A speech therapist can help you improve your communication skills and enjoy a better quality of life.
6. Prevent further communication decline
Adults with a degenerative disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or ALS can highly benefit from speech therapy. It can help prevent further decline of their speech and language skills. A speech therapist can provide you with exercises to help maintain your communication skills. This can help you stay independent for longer.
7. Get support
A speech therapist is a great source of support for adults with communication disorders. They can provide you with information about your disorder, treatment options, and resources. Aside from the speech therapist, it can also offer emotional support to you and your family.
At Better Speech, we offer online speech therapy services convenient for you and tailored to your child's individual needs. Our services are affordable and effective - get Better Speech now.
About the Author
Mikee Larrazabal
I am a Speech-Language Pathologist with 14 years of experience working with children and adults who have communication difficulties. I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science at Cebu Doctors' University and have been helping people overcome their communication challenges ever since.
I have worked with individuals of different ages, including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, adults and seniors. I'm passionate about speech therapy and take great satisfaction in helping people overcome their communication challenges and improve their lives through better communication skills. In my spare time I like reading books, going hiking in nature and taking care of my dog Locas.
