Brain damage following a stroke can cause an impairment of speech, language and swallowing abilities, resulting in the three following conditions which speech and language therapists are uniquely qualified to treat. Dysarthria, affecting the ability to produce speech, dysphasia, which affects the ability to understand and use language to communicate and dysphagia, which is a muscular disorder effecting the ability to swallow, drink and eat. Dysarthria and dysphasia can be grouped together as a communication disorder. These serious disabilities affect the individual’s ability to participate in social interaction, diminish their quality of life and can be life-threatening. There is little public awareness about the devastating impact of communication disability, and this can lead to increased feelings of isolation, withdrawal for the community and dependence on others to meet their needs. Speech and language therapists (SLT’s) are the only professionals qualified to diagnose, assess and provide a programme of care to address these communication and swallowing needs. Their intervention is integral throughout all stages of the stroke care pathway. DEFINITIONS Dysphagia: A weakness of muscle tone which affects the ability to coordinate the muscles involved in swallowing. Dysarthria: A muscular difficulty in producing or sustaining the range, force, speed and coordination of the movements needed to achieve clear speech. Dysphasia: An acquired language disorder, caused by brain damage, which affects the ability to communicate through speech, signing and writing as well as affecting comprehension .
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:29:34 +0000