Image

 

Neurogenic Communication Disorders

 

Neurogenic communication disorders can profoundly impact a person's ability to speak, understand language, and communicate effectively. A variety of medical conditions, such as strokes, traumatic brain injuries, or degenerative diseases, can cause these disorders.

Any damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems can cause acquired neurogenic communication disorders. Symptoms may appear suddenly after an acute event such as a stroke, tumor, or brain injury, or they may develop gradually as part of a progressive disorder such as dementia, Parkinson's disease, ALS, or any other degenerative neurological disorder.

Thankfully, speech therapy can significantly enhance the communication skills and quality of life of those with these disorders.

Aphasia: Aphasia, or Receptive and expressive language disorders in adults, are primarily speech disturbances caused by brain damage. People with aphasia struggle to find words to express their thoughts, label, formulate sentences, read, write, or follow directions. 

Signs of receptive aphasia include difficulty following directions, answering questions, understanding what others are talking about, and reading comprehension. 

The symptoms of aphasia may vary depending on the type and location of the brain damage.

Common symptoms include:

 

  • Difficulty finding the right words

  • Speaking in short, incomplete sentences

  • Repeating words or phrases

  • Difficulty understanding spoken or written language

  • Trouble with reading and writing

  • Frustration and emotional distress due to communication difficulties

Apraxia: Apraxia is an acquired neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to perform voluntary activities and speak due to damage in the brain area responsible for formulating such activities. Individuals with Apraxia often experience difficulty moving their tongue, producing sounds, and speaking in sentences. They may also struggle with imitating speech sounds and non-speech movements, known as oral Apraxia.

Dysarthria: Dysarthria, conversely, is a motor speech disorder caused by weakness in the oral muscles, such as those controlling the face, tongue, and lips. People with dysarthria may have trouble speaking clearly, produce a reduced volume of voice, speak slowly or fast, mumble, have abnormal intonation when speaking, experience hoarseness or drooling, facial drooping, nasal speech, or slurred speech. Dysarthria caused by Stroke, ALS, MS, Tay-Sach,Parkinson’s, etc).