Aphasia & Motor Speech Disorders
Rebuilding communication skills after stroke and brain injury.
Aphasia is a disorder that affects language skills, typically occurring as a result of neurological events such as a stroke, head trauma, or brain tumor. Individuals experiencing aphasia may face varying levels of difficulty in language functions such as understanding speech, producing speech, reading, and writing. As Önce Special Education, we offer comprehensive rehabilitation programs in the field of aphasia and motor speech disorders (dysarthria, apraxia) at our center in Pendik, Istanbul.
Motor speech disorders, on the other hand, result from problems in the neuromuscular coordination between the brain and speech muscles. Dysarthria is a condition where speech is produced unclearly, slowly, or with difficulty due to weakness or coordination problems of the speech muscles. Speech apraxia is the difficulty in planning and sequencing correct movements. These disorders seriously affect the individual's quality of life and independence. We serve our adult clients applying to our center from Pendik and across Istanbul with our expert therapists experienced in neurological rehabilitation.
Timing is critical in the rehabilitation of aphasia and motor speech disorders. The first months after a stroke are the periods when neuroplasticity is most intense, and intensive therapy started during this period gives the best results. However, therapy can yield gains even in the chronic phase. At Önce Special Education in Istanbul Pendik, we help our clients rebuild their communication world through individual therapy sessions, technology-supported applications, and alternative communication methods.
Who Is It For?
- Adults who lost their speech and language skills after a stroke
- Individuals experiencing communication difficulties as a result of head trauma
- Patients in need of speech rehabilitation after brain tumor surgery
- Individuals experiencing speech disorders due to neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, ALS, MS
- Children diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
How Does It Work?
Through a comprehensive neurolinguistic evaluation, the type, severity of aphasia, and affected language areas are determined.
Through motor speech evaluation, the presence of dysarthria or apraxia, speech intelligibility, and oral motor functions are analyzed.
An individualized rehabilitation plan is created; evidence-based methods like constraint-induced language therapy and melodic intonation therapy are applied.
When necessary, alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) systems are introduced to diversify the individual's communication channels.
Active participation of the individual's close circle in the communication process is ensured through family education and psychosocial support.
Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
When should speech therapy start after a stroke?
Ideally, it should start as soon as possible after the medical condition stabilizes. Generally, therapy is initiated within the first few weeks after a stroke. Intensive therapy combined with the spontaneous recovery period in the first 3-6 months yields the most effective results. However, it has been scientifically shown that therapy started even in the chronic phase (years later) can also provide gains.
Is full recovery possible in aphasia?
The level of recovery depends on many factors, such as the location and size of the lesion, the severity of the aphasia, the patient's age and general health status, and the intensity of therapy. While some patients show significant improvement, others may continue to experience permanent difficulties. At Önce Special Education, we support our clients in reaching their best communication potential by setting realistic goals and developing alternative communication strategies.
How should we communicate with our patient at home?
Use short and simple sentences, slow down your speaking rate, and allow enough time for the patient to respond. You can facilitate communication by asking yes/no questions. Make use of gestures, facial expressions, and visual support. Never talk to them like a baby; aphasia is not a loss of intelligence. We teach detailed communication strategies in regular family training sessions at our Pendik center.
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