Speech & Language

Why might adults benefit from Speech & Language therapy? “Speech” and “language” both refer to foundational components permitting us to communicate with each other. We learn speech sounds by being exposed to the sounds of our first language(s), at a young age when brain development is “specialized” to absorb sounds it is exposed to. We learn to combine speech sounds to form words that we learn have symbolic meaning that is shared by others around us. We then learn to combine words to form requests and to refuse items, to express wants and needs, to ask questions about our world, and to share our experiences, ideas and feelings.

We use language to communicate both by speaking and by writing, skills that are supported by different regions of the brain. How language itself is stored in the brain is not clearly understood. What is understood is that a vast number of neural circuits are involved with language storage and retrieval. If these neural networks are disrupted by trauma or disease, adults may experience Speech and Language difficulties such as:

• difficulty saying intended speech sounds or difficulty putting sounds together into words (apraxia of speech)

• “slurring” speech sounds (dysarthria)

• difficulty understanding what others are saying or difficulty using words and sentences to express what one wants to say (aphasia)

These difficulties with Speech & Language may result from:

• Stroke

• Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion

• Neurodegenerative disease processes (such as Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy)

• Medical complications following lengthy Illness, such as COVID-19

• Developmental disabilities (such as Cerebral Palsy)

If you or a family member are experiencing difficulties in speaking, writing, or understanding what others are saying, we would love to be of help. Our clinic offers skilled and compassionate rehabilitation therapy services to address Speech & Language needs. Therapy is individualized and goals are developed collaboratively, targeting skills that are meaningful to clients and families, and that increase client independence and life participation.

Contact us today to learn more about our Speech & Language rehabilitation services and to schedule a free consultation appointment.