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Speech Rehabilitation Program

Speech disorders after a stroke are the second most common impairment after motor dysfunctions. Aphasia occurs in 36% of stroke survivors and can manifest as difficulty in speaking, understanding spoken language, or associating words with their corresponding images. Based on these impairments, there are three main types of aphasia:

— Motor Aphasia – The individual understands what others are saying and responds to events but struggles to articulate a response correctly. They know what they want to say but are unable to do so. Their speech consists of disconnected sounds.

— Sensory Aphasia – The person cannot comprehend spoken or written language. They can hear someone speaking or see printed text but cannot grasp the meaning of words or letters. As a result, their own speech lacks coherence and resembles a "verbal salad."

— Amnestic Aphasia – The person has difficulty understanding complex sentences, synonyms, and comparisons. They struggle to select and use appropriate words to name people, objects, places, or events, resulting in a limited vocabulary.

Speech Rehabilitation Approach

A speech therapist employs a comprehensive approach to address speech impairments, typically focusing on four main rehabilitation areas, with additional interventions as needed:

1. Restoring Speech Function (Understanding, Pronunciation, and Speech Structure)

Exercises for developing speech comprehension, repetition, dialogic speech, and spontaneous speech
Auditory-verbal memory training
Speech exercises to overcome dysarthria and dyspraxia
Working with object cards, speech therapy games, and lotto
Breathing exercises

2. Restoring Facial Muscle Function

Speech therapy massage (classic, acupressure, probe massage)
Probe tongue massage
Articulation exercises
Specialized exercise routines
Self-massage techniques

3. Restoring Fine Motor Skills

Classic, acupressure, and probe massage
Special exercises for motor rehabilitation

4. Neuropsychological Correction of Brain Activity

Neurorehabilitation exercises to stimulate brain function and interhemispheric connections
Encouraging healthy brain regions to adapt and take over lost functions

Individual Rehabilitation Plan

Each patient's rehabilitation program is tailored based on their specific impairments. While different speech therapy methods may be used, the frequency and intensity of sessions are key factors in predicting recovery outcomes.

If speech therapy begins immediately, the chances of restoring speech function are significantly higher. Intensive therapy increases the likelihood of recovery, but some speech impairments may persist to varying degrees.

Additional Rehabilitation Areas

Reading correction
Writing correction
Correction of gnostic and memory impairments
Cognitive function recovery (thinking and spatial orientation)
Normalization of speech breathing
Swallowing function rehabilitation (overcoming dysphagia)
Salivation control

Initial Consultation Requirements

Before the first appointment with a speech therapist specializing in aphasia, the patient must consult a neurologist, who will provide an assessment of:

The location of brain damage
Cranial nerve dysfunctions
Other nervous system impairments affecting speech

For the first speech therapy session, the patient should bring:

A medical discharge summary from the hospital
Documents related to previous treatment (if available)
Writing samples, including a short copied text (3-5 sentences) and a dictation exercise (if the patient can write)