How To Help Those with Dysarthria and Aphasia Talk Better

Learn How to Help
those with Dysarthria and
Aphasia Talk.

Learn How to Help Those with Dysarthria and Aphasia Talk

One of the secrets of speech therapy for aphasia and dysarthria deals with the concept of modeling.  It is the way we talk in the presence of others.  Our listeners will often mimic how and what we say.  This concept is demonstrated easily by children who automatically learn new expressions and vocabulary from just being around us.

How to Talk to Those with Dysarthria and Aphasia

Therefore we must speak to the person with aphasia or dysarthria at the level where they can easily repeat it without frustration, and there must be minimal error.    Caregivers are learning how to model easy speech so that it is easy to learn.  If it's too hard which is often the case, there will be little if any success.  

Talking with Those with Aphasia and Dysarthria

Many articles have been written about “How to Talk to those with Aphasia,” and few have submitted articles about “How to Talk to Those with Aphasia and Dysarthria to help them Talk Better.”

Start at their Level of Difficulty

Successful caregivers and therapists start at what the person with aphasia or dysarthria can successfully do.  If they can mimic 2, 3, or 4 word phrases in the case of a more severe speaking difficulty, that is how you speak with them.  You can speak to them in 2,3, or 4 words.  If they can repeat what you have said at that level, you then make a commitment to change your speaking and speak to them in 2, 3, or 4 words only.  

If you can do that, and do so consistently they will be hearing the model for their new way of speaking around the clock.  And, if you require an answer to your questions in 2, 3, or 4 words, they likely will improve speaking over time especilly if you understand what will work for your loved one.  Each person with dysarthria and aphasia is different and there is no "magic bullet."  That is why you want to work with a therapist whoi truly understands speaking.  He or she can help teach you exactly where to start and what to do to get maximum speaking recovery.  This holds true with dysarthria also.  You constantly model the length and slow speed of the utterance they can imitate all day long.

How to Help Your Loved One With Aphasia or Dysarthria Talk Better

You can learn to help you loved one or client easily talk better as long as they desire a change of speaking, are stimulable and can easily imitate what they hear.  One of the reasons why many are not successful is because the caregiver does not know what to do or how to help their loved one at home.  So much precious time is wasted when those at home are not trained what to do there.  You can learn how many words to help them say, the speed at which to speak with them, and the words and expressions that are fun and useful.

You Can Be Mentored by an Expert with over 40 Years Experience Helping Those With Dysarthria & Aphasia

You can be mentored in real time online to help your loved one talk better, or you can independently learn the Teaching of Talking Method through our home study course that you can access online 24/7.  The online course is also completely guaranteed.  To find out more go to teachingoftaking.com or please feel free to find out how to contact us at TeachingofTalking.com  You can call, e mail, or text me from the information contained there.

Does Age Affect Prognosis for Speech Recovery after Stroke

Is Age a Predictor of Speech Recovery Following Stroke and Aphasia

Does Age Affect Prognosis for Recovery
of Speech After Stroke

One of the most frequent questions asked following stroke and aphasia are "What factors improve the prognosis for speech recovery after a stroke.  It is a common belief that the younger the individual is who has the stroke, the better the chances are for recovery.  Many therapists have their beliefs and biases.

However, the scientific and medical communities have been pursuing research to determine whether age is a factor that will influence the prognois for improvement of speech.  The design of their research may also affect the conclusions.  Those who study stroke and aphasia are now using not only behavioral and speech measurements to look at a person's improvement of speaking over time, but also using various brain scans and other scientific measurements which look at the site and location of the lesion at the time of stroke, and in follow up tests. 

  Does Age Affect the Prognosis for Recovery After Stroke?  What Should I Believe?

The Conclusion of the VA Study of Age and Speech Recovery After  Stroke

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• The VA Study concluded that age is not a significant predictor of outcome or amount of change a person with aphasia or apraxia will be capable of with speech and language therapy.  Wertz & Dronkers (1990)

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• In reviewing these studies there are factors which may influence their conclusions. However, within the fields of rehabilitation today this is an acceptable conclusion. However there are always skeptics.  Others may argue that motivation, the amount of speech and language stimulation and the personal behaviors of the patient and family are of equal importance.  

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• This study may also helps us understand that it is never too late to do speech and language therapy for those with aphasia, whether young or old.

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• For those who wish to be mentored to do speech and language stimulation at home, or for those who wish to pursue a video course in The Teaching of Talking Method, please learn more at teachingoftalking.com   

You Can Learn Aphasia Speech Therapy at Home From an Expert Therapist

You can learn apraxia aphasia speech therapy
  when you have an expert therapist to teach you

You can Learn How To Do Apraxia Aphasia Speech Therapy from an Expert Therapist

You can learn how to help your loved one with aphasia talk at home.  It is especially of interest to  caregivers, and students who wish to learn expert methods to help their loved ones talk.  The photograph above is entitled:  “Musical Chairs.” It is a similar to what those with aphasia and apraxia and their loved ones may go through in the speech therapy process.

Finding the Right Speech Therapist to Mentor You

Many therapists, caregivers and those with aphasia have difficulty achieving good speech therapy results with apraxia, aphasia and dysarthria.  The successful approach to speech therapy where an individual with aphasia or a profound speaking difficulty is actually taught to “talk” is like Musical Chairs.  You may have to go around and around until you find the right teacher or therapist.  That is paramount.  Then you must commit to learning a method by applying language stimulation in the proper way to help the person with aphasia speak in words, phrases or sentences at home.

Many Caregivers and Family Members are Learning Professional Aphasia Apraxia Speech Therapy Techniques From Expert Therapists

Many may think they can't learn what will really be needed to help those with aphasia talk.  The opposite may be true.  They just haven’t found the right therapist to learn from and therefore there is relatively little if any progress.

What the Research Concludes About Success with Speech Therapy

Speech therapy and results of improved speaking are highly correlated to the relationship of the speech language pathologist with the caregiver and person with aphasia.  That quality, rapport, trust, and enjoyment along with expert methods highly increases the chances for speaking improvement.

Where you can go to Learn Apraxia and Aphasia Speech Therapy to Use at Home

We develop relationships with caregivers and their loved ones with aphasia by offering personal mentoring by Moshe Mark Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP Speech Language Pathologist with over 40 years experience and dedication to those with aphasia.  Teachingoftalking.com. If you are a spouse, family member, student or therapist who wishes to learn new tools to help those with aphasia talk better, feel free to contact us through our website to find out more about personal mentoring or video training. We also do lectures and group trainings.  Contact us today at teachingoftalking.com

We appreciate hearing from you. Let us know if you ever have any questions.

Thanks,

Mark A. Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP