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Anyone may find themselves struggling to find the words from time to time. For those who suffer from aphasia, however, this struggle can be a constant source of frustration that leads to a breakdown in communications. Fortunately, children with aphasia can respond to a customized speech therapy plan here at Southern Pediatric Therapy Clinic.
What Is Aphasia?
The term “aphasia” broadly describes a loss of verbal and/or written communication skills. Children suffering from aphasia may have trouble putting their thoughts into words, and they may also find it difficult to understand others’ efforts to communicate with them.
Aphasia can occur for a variety of reasons. Neurological damage represents the most common cause; in fact, aphasia impacts up to 40 percent of all stroke survivors. Traumatic brain injuries, brain tumors, brain infections, and degenerative neurological diseases may also produce aphasia in children.
Symptoms of Aphasia
Children suffering from Aphasia often have trouble speaking in complete sentences or putting the correct string of words together. At the same time, they may have difficulty understanding or processing other people’s speech. Some aphasia sufferers find that they can no longer read or write adequately.
Aphasia may assume different forms and affect patients in different ways. For instance, children with receptive aphasia may express themselves fluently, but they may not understand what others are saying very well. Children with expressive aphasia are better at understanding other people’s attempts to communicate than they are at communicating their needs, wants, and ideas. Children with global aphasia may experience equal impairment in both .areas
How Speech Therapy Can Help Aphasia
Speech therapy aims to either restore lost function or to help children compensate by developing alternative strategies. Speech therapy for aphasia may therefore focus on rebuilding speech, reading, writing, and comprehension skills. If your child struggles with aphasia, the speech therapist may prescribe:
- Melodic intonation therapy: A method in which children use the part of the brain that processes music by singing words and phrases and/or tapping them out to a rhythm.
- Conversation training: Intensive practice sending and understanding written or spoken communications with the aid of a conversation partner.
- Picture drills and prompts: Training in identifying and naming pictured objects, or the use of pictures as a visual prompt in supported conversation training.
We are Here for Your Child
Southern Pediatric Therapy Clinic wants to help your child or any other member of your family struggling with aphasia. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
