How to Get Someone Who Had a Stroke to Talk Again
Stroke is a disease of the arteries that provide blood to the brain. It occurs when a blockage in an artery prevents blood from getting to a part of the brain or when and artery bursts and too much blood gets into part of the brain. Although stroke occurs in the brain, it's symptoms can affect the entire body. Many stroke survivors have difficulty speaking, and treatment may be necessary to help them to speak again.
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Speech Therapy
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A speech-language pathologist may be able to help stroke survivors regain their communication skills. In situations where stroke survivors are unable to speak, a speech-language pathologist can help them develop alternative forms of communication, such as sign language. Additionally, speech-language pathologists can help with other common problems related to speech impairments, such as trouble swallowing.
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According to the American Stroke Association, reading aloud to a stroke survivor may actually improve their communication skills. Depending on whether or not reading skills have been affected, some survivors find it helpful to read a book silently or aloud along with a matching audiotape. It is a good idea to start with simple books and work toward more complicated texts.
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Research concerning the rehabilitation of stroke victims is being conducted around the world, and new technologies are emerging all the time. One of the more promising studies involves cortical stimulation therapy. Cortical stimulation is a non-invasive technique that involves applying stimulation to specific areas of the brain. According to Dr. Leora Cherney, director of the Center for Aphasia Research and Treatment at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, participants in a 2008 study who received cortical stimulation coupled with speech-language therapy made greater improvements than those who received speech-language therapy alone. Still, Dr. Cherney cautions that cortical stimulation research is in its infancy and more research is needed.
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Rehabilitation after stroke can be expensive, and insurance companies may not cover certain treatments. One alternative may be exploring what free and discounted services are available at local universities. According to the American Stroke Association, many universities offer free or low-cost therapy services administered by graduate students who are under the supervision of certified speech-language pathologists. Moreover, many universities have research programs where qualifying individuals can participate in treatment studies. A link to some of these studies currently looking for participants can be found in the Resource section below.
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