A stroke can change how a person speaks, understands, reads, writes and even swallows, sometimes overnight. For patients and families, that can be one of the most frightening parts of recovery. The good news is that speech therapy can help, and recovery often continues well after leaving the hospital.
Here’s what to know about speech therapy after a stroke, and how our speech-language pathologists in Idaho Falls and Rexburg support adults on the road back to everyday communication.
How a Stroke Can Affect Communication
Every stroke is different, so every recovery is different. Common challenges include:
- Aphasia: trouble finding words, putting sentences together, understanding what others say, or reading and writing. Stroke is the most common cause of aphasia. Importantly, aphasia does not affect a person’s intelligence.
- Dysarthria: slurred or slow speech caused by weakness in the muscles used for talking.
- Apraxia of speech: difficulty planning the movements needed to say words, even when the muscles themselves are strong.
- Cognitive-communication changes: trouble with attention, memory, problem-solving or organizing thoughts in conversation.
- Dysphagia: difficulty swallowing safely, which can make eating and drinking a challenge.
What Happens in Speech Therapy
Therapy starts with an evaluation. Your speech-language pathologist looks at how you understand, speak, read, write and swallow, and talks with you (and, with your permission, your family) about the goals that matter most to you, like ordering at a restaurant, talking on the phone, or getting back to work.
From there, treatment is one-on-one and tailored to you. Depending on your needs, therapy may include:
- Exercises to rebuild word-finding, sentence building and understanding
- Practice with real-life conversations and daily tasks
- Strengthening and coordination work for clearer speech
- Strategies to work around difficulties, like gestures, writing or communication apps
- Swallowing exercises and safe eating strategies
- Coaching for family members so communication at home gets easier
Is It Too Late to Start?
Many people wonder whether therapy can still help months after a stroke. Recovery looks different for everyone, and many people keep making progress over time with continued practice and support. If you or a loved one is still struggling to communicate or swallow, it’s worth talking with a speech-language pathologist about your options.
Support for the Whole Family
Communication changes affect everyone in the home. We make family part of the process, sharing simple strategies that reduce frustration, like giving extra time to respond, asking yes/no questions, and keeping conversations in a quiet setting.
Speech Therapy for Adults in Eastern Idaho
Premier Therapy Associates is an affiliate of Mountain View Hospital, providing one-on-one speech, physical and occupational therapy for adults and children in Idaho Falls and Rexburg. Our team also helps adults with communication changes after brain injury and neurological conditions, voice disorders and swallowing difficulties. Learn more about our speech therapy services.
Schedule a Free Speech Screening
Whether you’re recovering from a stroke or supporting a loved one, our speech-language pathologists are here to help. We accept Medicaid, Medicare and almost all commercial insurance plans.
Sources
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Aphasia
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Dysarthria
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Apraxia of Speech in Adults
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Swallowing Disorders in Adults
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for an evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist or medical provider.