Progressive neurological disorders
These conditions involve a progressive deterioration in functioning and are likely to affect the individual for life. They include Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease, and Parkinson's disease. Some of the disorders progress more rapidly than others. Some are unpredictable and have periods of relapse and remission such as MS. Communication problems associated with progressive neurological disorders may be similar to those caused by injury or other non-progressive disorders affecting the brain and the body's nervous (neurological) system.
Recognised characteristics of progressive neurological disorders that affect communication:
• Dysarthria (when the muscles needed for speaking and breath control are affected).
• Dysphonia (voice problems).
• Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).
• Cognitive impairment (at a late stage in some disorders memory and/or thought processes may be affected).
• No speech at all.
Speech and language therapists are often involved with multi-professional teams working with progressive neurological disorders. Speech, voice and language therapy may begin at the initial signs of the disorder and continue on an on-going basis, depending on need and fatigue levels. Management strategies will be given and reviewed as therapy progresses.
Therapy for people with progressive neurological disorders:
• Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of communication and swallowing disorder.
• Swallowing management advice e.g. food and/or fluid modification, enteral feeding, posture strategies, swallow manoeuvres.
• Speech exercises for lips, tongue, palate, jaw.
• Facial exercises to maintain strength.
• Speech articulation programmes and focus on the rate of speech.
• Voice programmes for breathing, breath control, volume, pitch, syllable stress and vocal tone.
• Assessment and trials of augmentative and alternative communication aids (low– and high-tech AAC).
• Conversation practice.
• Fatigue management for speech production.
• Advice to carers.
Palliative Care
Care for those with life-limiting illness aims to improve quality of life by relief of distressing symptoms. Speech and language therapists may have a part to play advising on dysphagia management. They can also support people in making their wishes known when communication is limited.
Our specialist speech and language therapists will advise on strategies to achieve the best possible function. They can also offer information to carers.
Specialist Speech Therapy practice provides services to adults with progressive neurological conditions in Birmingham, Solihull and across the West Midlands. Contact us today for an appointment. There is no waiting list for our services.
These conditions involve a progressive deterioration in functioning and are likely to affect the individual for life. They include Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Motor Neurone Disease, and Parkinson's disease. Some of the disorders progress more rapidly than others. Some are unpredictable and have periods of relapse and remission such as MS. Communication problems associated with progressive neurological disorders may be similar to those caused by injury or other non-progressive disorders affecting the brain and the body's nervous (neurological) system.
Recognised characteristics of progressive neurological disorders that affect communication:
• Dysarthria (when the muscles needed for speaking and breath control are affected).
• Dysphonia (voice problems).
• Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties).
• Cognitive impairment (at a late stage in some disorders memory and/or thought processes may be affected).
• No speech at all.
Speech and language therapists are often involved with multi-professional teams working with progressive neurological disorders. Speech, voice and language therapy may begin at the initial signs of the disorder and continue on an on-going basis, depending on need and fatigue levels. Management strategies will be given and reviewed as therapy progresses.
Therapy for people with progressive neurological disorders:
• Comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of communication and swallowing disorder.
• Swallowing management advice e.g. food and/or fluid modification, enteral feeding, posture strategies, swallow manoeuvres.
• Speech exercises for lips, tongue, palate, jaw.
• Facial exercises to maintain strength.
• Speech articulation programmes and focus on the rate of speech.
• Voice programmes for breathing, breath control, volume, pitch, syllable stress and vocal tone.
• Assessment and trials of augmentative and alternative communication aids (low– and high-tech AAC).
• Conversation practice.
• Fatigue management for speech production.
• Advice to carers.
Palliative Care
Care for those with life-limiting illness aims to improve quality of life by relief of distressing symptoms. Speech and language therapists may have a part to play advising on dysphagia management. They can also support people in making their wishes known when communication is limited.
Our specialist speech and language therapists will advise on strategies to achieve the best possible function. They can also offer information to carers.
Specialist Speech Therapy practice provides services to adults with progressive neurological conditions in Birmingham, Solihull and across the West Midlands. Contact us today for an appointment. There is no waiting list for our services.