Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

by Courtenay M. News Speech and Hearing Disorders Speech Disorders
Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language

Effect of Stroke on Speech and Language. Image courtesy of www.ndtv.com

Whether or not you are a country music fan, you may have heard recently that grammy-winning country singer Randy Travis has been left unable to speak or sing due to a stroke he suffered last year. After his stroke in July 2013, he was able to restore much of his motor functions with physical therapy, but has not regained his speech. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA) usually affects one side of the brain. Movement and sensation for one side of the body is controlled by the opposite side of the brain. What does this mean? If a stroke affects the left side of the brain, there will be problems with the right side of the body.

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Kids Can Face Aphasia Caused by Hemiplegia

by Chris O Language Development Speech Disorders Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques
Signs of a stroke

Image Courtesy of e-healthdiary.com

If you’ve ever heard of aphasia, chances are you that you have associated it with a condition that affects an older population. However, as many as one in every 1,000 children are affected by childhood hemiplegia, which commonly results in aphasia for these children. Children with hemiplegia (trauma or injury occurring to one side of the brain) may show signs soon after birth, or might not be diagnosed until later in childhood.  A child with aphasia might only show mild signs or may find it very hard to communicate at all. Continue reading →

Using Apps for Aphasia Therapy

by Jacky G. Speech Therapy Techniques
Private Investigator Silhouette

Image source: Asianfanfics.com

When your child is first diagnosed with a speech disorder like aphasia, you might feel a bit like a private investigator – you’ll do a lot of background research on the issue and figure out what your resources are. One great way to stretch your resources when it comes to speech therapy is the use of specialized tools, such as Speech Buddies for articulation or apps for aphasia therapy. The symptoms of aphasia can range from mild to severe, and they will also vary depending on the part of the brain that sustained damage. Work with your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) to select the right apps for aphasia therapy that would best help his specific trouble areas.

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Gabby Giffords: The Long Road to Recovery

by Jacky G. News
Gabby Giffords House Photograph

Image source: cruiseradio.net

On June 19, 2012, Ron Barber was sworn in to the House of Representatives. The former aide to Representative Gabby Giffords took her seat after winning a special election following Giffords’ resignation earlier this year. Gabrielle Giffords became a national hero on January 8, 2011, when she survived an attempted assassination. She suffered a gunshot wound to the head, which severely affected her abilities to perform basic functions, like speaking. The resultant speech disorder, called aphasia, impaired her ability to find the right words and speak in complete sentences. Giffords faced an incredibly arduous, long recovery.

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