NORMAN — neurological rehabilitation for 30 years.Speech rehabilitation
We provide specialised neuro-speech therapy for patients with aphasia, dysarthria, dysphagia and other communication disorders following neurological conditions.
Therapy results
What patients say about us
Cause
Difficulties with speech most often appear after:
Read on about difficulties with speech, or click a condition to go to information about the rehabilitation stay.
How we help
What speech rehabilitation after neurological damage involves
Speech rehabilitation is work on regaining or improving the ability to communicate, understand, articulate, use your voice and swallow safely. For some patients it mainly concerns aphasia after a stroke; for others, dysarthria, dysphagia or more profound difficulties in engaging with their surroundings.
We most often work with patients after a stroke, traumatic brain injury or neurosurgery, and in the course of neurological diseases. The scope of work is decided after assessment, in line with the patient’s current abilities and the goal of therapy. We have also gathered practical advice in our guide to speech therapy exercises after a stroke.
Scope of therapy
The areas we work on in speech rehabilitation
The scope of therapy depends on the type of disorder, but it most often covers the areas of work below. With more extensive deficits, neuropsychological rehabilitation also helps.
Aphasia and communication disorders
We work on understanding speech, naming, building utterances and recovering vocabulary.
- We support patients who find spontaneous speech or understanding instructions difficult.
- When speech is very limited, we develop simpler ways of communicating with others.
Dysarthria and the technical side of speech
We work on breathing, voice strength, clarity of articulation and fluency of speech.
- Exercises are matched to the degree of muscle weakness and to what the patient can manage.
- The goal is clearer, less tiring and more effective communication.
Dysphagia and the orofacial area
This includes work on swallowing, lip closure, facial muscle tone and sensation in the mouth.
- Depending on your needs, we use oral therapy, orofacial stimulation, massage and electrostimulation.
- The goal is safer eating, drinking and everyday functioning.
Cognitive functions that affect speech
Speech often depends on memory, concentration, processing speed and executive function.
- That is why speech rehabilitation is often combined with training of attention, memory and understanding of instructions.
- This matters especially for patients with more extensive neurological damage.
Complementary therapy
Where needed, we combine speech rehabilitation with hand therapy, physical rehabilitation, eye therapy and guidance for carers.
- This combination helps carry the results of therapy over into the patient’s everyday life.
- The scope of work always depends on real needs, not on a single rigid scheme.
Our approach
What we base speech rehabilitation on
We focus on real communication and functional goals, and tailor therapy to the patient’s specific problem.
Individual assessment
We plan the scope of therapy after assessing speech, comprehension, swallowing, memory, concentration and the patient’s communication abilities.
Therapy tailored to the deficit
We work differently with aphasia than with dysarthria, dysphagia or communication disorders caused by more profound neurological damage.
Combined with other therapies
Speech rehabilitation is often combined with cognitive therapy, breathing training, hand therapy, physical rehabilitation and guidance for carers.
Functional goals
We work towards the patient communicating their needs better, eating more safely and being more independent in everyday life.
Therapy goals
What we aim for in speech rehabilitation
The goal of therapy may be better understanding of speech, clearer articulation, greater independence in communicating needs, an improved voice, safer swallowing or better interaction with others. For patients after a stroke, we often run speech rehabilitation alongside rehabilitation of the weakened hand and upper limb.
For some patients the priority is regaining basic communication; for others it is improving the technical side of speech or recovering the functions involved in eating and drinking. Because speech also depends on memory and attention, we often combine therapy with rehabilitation of cognitive difficulties. That is why speech rehabilitation always needs an individual plan of action.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about speech rehabilitation at the Norman centre
Most often we work with aphasia, dysarthria, dysphagia, communication disorders, reduced function of the articulatory organs, and cognitive difficulties that affect speech and contact with others.
Yes. Speech rehabilitation may include dysphagia therapy, breathing training, voice work and preparation for the next stages of treatment and rehabilitation.
Yes. Depending on your needs, it can be combined with physical rehabilitation, hand therapy, cognitive training, eye therapy and education for carers.
The next step
Let's talk
We are here to answer any questions you may have about the rehabilitation process.
Describe your case
Send us the details of the patient's condition and we will assess them from a therapeutic perspective.
Email consultation
Write to us describing the condition and the patient's current state of health. We will reply with our view of your situation in the context of rehabilitation.
Video of the patient
You can send us a video showing the patient's current condition. We will respond to your situation and explain the therapeutic options available.