Speech and language therapy
A stroke can affect communication skills - the ability to speak, read, write and understand. The speech and language therapist assesses each person’s difficulties and develops appropriate techniques.
Dysphasia
Dysphasia (also known as aphasia) is difficulty using and understanding spoken and written language. A person who has dysphasia may know what they want to say but can’t find the words. It may be hard for them to understand what others are saying, even if their hearing and thought processes are not affected.
Therapy can help people recognise words or find other ways to communicate, like using gestures, word-and-picture charts, symbols or computers.
Dysarthria, dyspraxia and dysphonia
- Dysarthria is when a stroke affects the muscles in the face, making it difficult to form words.
- Dyspraxia is difficulty with complicated tasks, which means that the person may find it hard to speak or understand conversation.
- Dysphonia is when a stroke affects the muscles in the voice box, changing the way the voice sounds and making it hard to moderate the voice.
Links
Audio version - Stroke rehabilitation (2977 kb)
Brain attack
Recovery and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Swallowing
Vision
Using the toilet
Psychological changes
Helping rehabilitation
Support at home
Rehabilitation in the community
