Speech, Language, and Cognitive Disorders in Adults
What types of communication and cognitive problems occur in adults?
- Problems with speech (e.g., dysarthria) often include slurred speech, slow rate of speech, and changes in how your voice sounds (see Voice Clinic).
- Problems with language (aphasia) include difficulty understanding or comprehending language and/or difficulty with reading or writing.
- Memory changes might include forgetting where you leave things more often than usual, not remembering appointments, forgetting conversations and difficulty learning new things.
- Other changes in cognition can include difficulties paying attention, planning and executing activities, and proper judgment (e.g., knowing not to walk in front of traffic or put an empty pan on a hot burner).
- See http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/ for more information.
What can cause communication or cognitive problems in adults?
Anything that causes changes in the brain and/or to the muscles responsible for speech production can potentially cause communication or cognitive changes and problems. Common causes include stroke, brain injury, and neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)).
What will happen if I come in for an evaluation?
During an evaluation, a thorough medical history and history of the problem will be taken. You will be asked questions about the nature of your communication problems and how they are affecting your life both personally and professionally. You will also be asked about the goals you have for treatment (e.g., to go back to work, to communicate better with your family, etc.). A clinician will evaluate your speech, language, and/or cognitive problems according to your specific difficulties. A thorough examination will be given in order to understand better your strengths and weaknesses so that appropriate treatment can be planned.
What should I expect in treatment?
The treatment you receive will depend on your specific problems and goals. For example, if you have difficulty producing your words clearly, then special attention will be spent on proper breathing for speech and specific exercises and strategies to assist you in making your speech easier to understand. If you have particular difficulty speaking on the phone, then that would be a specific goal to work toward. If you have difficulty producing language due to aphasia, then you will engage in activities to assist you in producing words and increasing your success at getting your point across. You will most likely be given activities to do at home between treatment sessions. Treatment for memory and other cognitive problems would also be highly individualized. How often you come for treatment and how long your treatment will last will depend on your specific difficulties and goals.