What disorders does a Speech Therapist treat?
Dysarthria
Dysarthria is a type of speech disorder and it means that an individual's speech sounds slurred or unclear. This often occurs when the muscles involved in making sounds and words become weak or uncoordinated. As a result, speech might sound slurred, slushy or unclear. An individual might have difficulty changing their pitch or rate of speech and as a result they draw attention to themselves when they speak. Dysarthria occurs due to damage in the brain or to nerves.
Apraxia
Apraxia is another type of speech disorder and it means that an individual cannot produce certain sounds or words. This is not as a result of weakened or uncoordinated muscles, as in dysarthria, but rather a breakdown in the individual's ability to programme and carry out the motor pattern required to make certain sounds. It is often characterised by an effortful groping for words and sounds. The individual often has a clear idea of what they would like to say but they cannot coordinate the muscle patterns required to produce the target sounds or words. Apraxia can occur due to damage to the brain.
Aphasia
Aphasia is when an individual's language is affected and is not a speech disorder. An aphasia occurs as the result of damage to a part of the brain that houses language. Aphasia can affect an individual's ability to speak, understand, read and write as these activities are all based in language. There are different types of aphasia:
Broca's Aphasia (Epxressive Aphasia) is when an individual has difficulty formulating a sentence in order to express themselves. Their speech might consist of single words or phrases and some gestures. The individual will often know what he or she wants to say but they are unable to find the words they need to express themselves.
Wernicke's Aphasia (Receptive Aphasia) is when an individual has difficulty understanding what other people are saying. They may talk fluently themselves but they may not always be understood. Sometimes a person with receptive aphasia is not always aware that they have not been understood as they are not aware of the jumbled nature of their speech. The individual will try to respond to you but will not be able to answer the question you have posed as they have not understood it.
Global Aphasia occurs when an individual has a combination of both an expressive and receptive aphasia. This is often a fairly severe language disorder.
Broca's Aphasia (Epxressive Aphasia) is when an individual has difficulty formulating a sentence in order to express themselves. Their speech might consist of single words or phrases and some gestures. The individual will often know what he or she wants to say but they are unable to find the words they need to express themselves.
Wernicke's Aphasia (Receptive Aphasia) is when an individual has difficulty understanding what other people are saying. They may talk fluently themselves but they may not always be understood. Sometimes a person with receptive aphasia is not always aware that they have not been understood as they are not aware of the jumbled nature of their speech. The individual will try to respond to you but will not be able to answer the question you have posed as they have not understood it.
Global Aphasia occurs when an individual has a combination of both an expressive and receptive aphasia. This is often a fairly severe language disorder.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is when an individual has difficulty eating and swallowing food or drink as a result of an injury. Problems might include difficulties swallowing liquids or chewing and swallowing different consistencies of food. A Speech Therapist will assess an individual and make recommendations regarding the safest consistency of liquid and food. A variety of strategies might also be provided in order to facilitate a safe swallow.
