APRAXIA APHASIA SPEECH THERAPY MAKING IT FUN

Apraxia Aphasia Speech Therapy it Fun

Apraxia Aphasia Speech Therapy Should
Be Fun!

There are some therapists who really like to have a good time when they are doing therapy with someone who has apraxia or aphasia.  Often one can hear laughing and joking coming from some speech therapy rooms.  We know that learning takes place best when there is a minimum of stress and pressure.  Learning can also take place indirectly.  We can learn very well when we  we can enjoy talking while improving speech.  There has not been alot of information about the use of humor in apraxia or aphasia speeech therapy literature, yet we all know that humor can be fun, relaxing and enjoyable.  So can learning to talk better!

Apraxia-Aphasia Speech Therapy Making it Fun:  An Example

Many people like music, whether it be rock and roll, pop, classical, country, opera etc.  A perfect example of learning indirectly occurs when we like a song and listen to it often.  We do that not to learn the words, but because we like the song.  And something magical occurs within a period of time.  We find that the words are there when we want to sing it, or sing along with the piece of music.  This proves that you don't have to "try" to learn  as long as you are subject to what is stimulating repeatedly.

Often Those with Apraxia Aphasia are Easily Depressed:  It Can be Fun!

Humor and laughter are often what the person with aphasia needs.  It is a pattern breaker, and interrupter.  It is easy for those with aphasia to think about their disability.  It can make anyone sad and depressed when thinking of ones life before aphasia and the drastic changes afterwards.

It is what the brain is experiencing at any given moment that affects mood and emotions.  When things are kept light and fun, the subsequent emotion matches that:  light and fun or an absence of stress or negative thoughts.

Often people who have aphasia may enter the therapy room and if the therapist is upbeat and engages the person with aphasia into a fun and interesting conversation with humor, learning occurs more naturally, and there is more of a tendency towards talking and sharing.  In addition the therapist if knowledgeable in language stimulation and The Teaching of Talking Approach to talking can engage in a conversation that is appropriate for the person with aphasia.  The therapist knows if the person is stimulable or able to repeat a specific number of sounds, syllables, words, phrases and sentences and also knows what types of cues would be best in order to stimulate the person with aphasia to utter meaningful speech.

Making it Fun for Those with Apraxia Aphasia:  Use Cues

Have you ever been talking with someone, or even in a group of people and all of a sudden you go to say a word, and it's not there?  The temporary loss of recall for a word or idea that one wishes to use in conversational interchange can be very stressful and embarassing.  Does the stress from embarrassment help the individual find the word that has temporarily disappeared?  Most of us would answer with a definite NO.

Now what happens in a conversation when someone in the group may know what we are talking about and non-chalantly supplies the thought that we were missing? 

Apraxia Aphasia Speech Therapy Making it Fun:  How do you spell relief?  CUE!

If a listener can cue the individual who is experiencing anomia, the loss in recall of a word or idea in a non-threatening and accurate way the conversation can continue with no stress or embarrassment.  There are theapists who believe that making a person struggle to get through an utterance is therapeutically good.  If a person develops stress or negative emotion during conversation, it does not lead to improved recall, nor does it foster the desire to converse since the whole process after a while can get associated with an uncomfortable feeling that is charaterized by fear and diminished self worth and confience.  That only leads to avoidance and wanting to withdraw from speaking altogether.  Is that what we want?  (An emphatic NO!)

Enjoyment and Laughter  Important Aspects of Any Speech Therapy Visit

Laughter and enjoyment of an experience has proven beneficial to our biochemistry. It has been shown that humor and laughter lead to reductions in stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine. When laughing the brain also releases endorphins that can relieve some physical pain.  

Is it a correct assumption that many of us enjoy experiences that are comfortable, light, entertaining, and interactive?  Would it be safe to surmise that the same may be true for those who undergo speech therapy for Apraxia and Aphasia?  Let's make sure we adopt the ways to help people talk that are enjoyable and fun.  It is very possible that speech and language stimulation when given by a trained spouse, caregiver or therapist using the Teaching of Talking Methods can be alot of fun, no matter what those unfamiliar with the method may say about their approaches.

About the Author

Author Moshe Mark Ittleman

Moshe Mark Ittleman, M.S., CCC/SLP  is a Speech Language pathologist who has been helping people with aphasia talk better for over 40 years.  He is the author and developer of The Teaching of Talking Method which is out in book, audio, and video formats.  The Teaching of Talking teaches carers, therapists and support workers how to help those with aphasia talk better through conversation.    Ittleman lecures throughout the United States and globally teaching this approach to others.  He also personally mentors family members, students, and others who are interested in learning the method to help others with apraxia or aphasia learn to talk or talk better.   teachingoftalking.com for information how to obtain educational materials or contact us.  teachingoftalking.com     e mail:  talkwithmark1@gmail.com