Speech is not a simple process when it comes to brain functions. A person has to think about what they want to say. Then those thoughts must be translated into words. Then the brain must command the mouth and throat to form those words and transmit sound.

Understanding what someone is saying is just as complicated. The brain must capture the sound waves that the ears capture. Then the brain must translate those sound waves into words the brain can understand. Then the brain must comprehend what those words mean.

How is Speech Affected by a Stroke?

Most strokes affect only one side of the brain. Each side of the brain controls movements on the other side. That means the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, and the left side controls the right side. However, each side of the brain has additional functions besides controlling movements.

The left side of the brain normally controls speech and understanding language. So, if a stroke affects the left side of the brain, it may affect a person’s ability to speak or understand language.

When Stroke Patients Need Speech Therapy 

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:

Apraxia of Speech

Patients suffering from apraxia often report knowing what they want to say but have trouble getting the words out entirely. Sometimes a different word comes than what was intended. 

Dysarthria

If a patient has experienced paralysis or paresis in the face, this can result in a weakness in the facial muscles. This can result in speech often coming out slurry, and unclear. 

Aphasia

Those who have aphasia may have trouble organizing thoughts into sentences. Producing a clear and understandable narrative also becomes more challenging. 

Memory 

A stroke usually affects short-term memory more often than long-term. Patients are able to recall events that took place many years ago but forget more recent events. 

Patients may forget how to problem-solve, organize their environments, or recall important information within their routines. 

The Importance of Early Stroke Rehabilitation

Stroke survivors have more than a 50% chance of having at least one speech-language disorder. In many cases, such paralysis is permanent. But there is hope. It is possible to recover from Speech disorders if stroke rehabilitation is started within the first 90 days after Stroke.

During this 90-day Golden period, the brain is more neuroplastic. Which means, it has more ability to repair, relearn, adjust, and return to normal state at a faster pace.

While many stroke survivors will make large gains in the area of speech within the weeks and months right away following a stroke, with the assistance of a speech and swallow therapy, improvements can be made well beyond the initial time frame.

Speech and swallow therapy should start as soon as possible post-stroke, once the person is well enough. Anyone with aphasia lasting more than two weeks should be considered for intensive intervention.

Speech and Language Therapy Techniques and Exercises for Stroke Rehabilitation

After a stroke, it is common for individuals to experience difficulties with speech and language. However, with the help of speech and swallow therapy, techniques, and exercises can be implemented to improve communication skills. These techniques can be used to strengthen the muscles used in speech, as well as to improve cognitive function and language comprehension.

Techniques for Speech Clarity:

  • Articulation Exercises: Pronunciation drills focusing on specific speech sounds, such as “p,” “b,” and “m,” using repetitive and exaggerated movements.
  • Intonation Practice: Using pitch variation to convey meaning and emotion, practicing rising and falling intonation patterns in speech.
  • Vocal Strengthening Exercises: Breath support exercises like diaphragmatic breathing and humming to improve vocal fold strength and control.

Strategies for Language Rehabilitation:

  • Word-Finding Exercises: Using semantic feature analysis to explore characteristics of target words and enhance retrieval, e.g., describing objects by function, color, or size.
  • Sentence Construction Activities: Structured tasks to formulate sentences with target vocabulary, focusing on grammar and syntax.
  • Reading and Comprehension Practice: Reading aloud passages with increasing complexity and discussing content to improve language comprehension and processing.

Aphasia Therapy Approaches:

  • Constraint-Induced Language Therapy (CILT): Encouraging verbal communication by limiting the use of compensatory strategies and promoting language recovery through intensive practice.
  • Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT): Using rhythmic and melodic patterns to facilitate language production in individuals with non-fluent aphasia, incorporating singing-like intonation.

At HCAH stroke rehabilitation center the role of speech and swallow therapists is indispensable. Their specialized skills in diagnosing and treating speech and swallowing disorders significantly enhance the recovery process for stroke survivors.

Through personalized assessments, goal setting, and the implementation of diverse therapeutic techniques, speech and swallow therapy professionals help patients regain crucial abilities that impact their overall quality of life. 

Also Read: Paralysis Recovery: Role of Stroke Rehabilitation Centres in Regaining Mobility

By involving family members, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and continuously monitoring progress, speech-language pathologists ensure a holistic approach to recovery. 

Ultimately, their dedicated efforts lead to improved communication, safer swallowing, and a better quality of life for stroke survivors.