Speech impairment can be problematic for people of any age. While most speech difficulties manifest and resolve during childhood, they can continue through adulthood, and some can even manifest later in life due to injury, illness, or stroke. Whatever the origin or type of speech disorder an individual may have, speech therapy for adults can carry different psychological implications than speech therapy for children, particularly in cases where the impairment is sudden and unexpected.
Common Types of Speech Impairments in Adults
Stuttering is probably the most widely-recognized type of speech impairment, and typically manifests during childhood. Many children eventually outgrow their stutter, but in some cases, the stutter may be present throughout adulthood. Aphasia is another common speech impairment in adults. Individuals with aphasia will experience an inability to express themselves either in speech or in writing, and may also be unable to understand the written or spoken communication of others.
Partial aphasia is a condition in which an individual can speak or write many words and phrases, but others are difficult to express. Dysarthria is characterized by pronunciation difficulties such as slurring. Stuttering, also known as stammering, can be an impairment that begins in childhood, but it can also sometimes manifest in adulthood due to emotional or physical trauma. Voice disturbances are another common adult speech impairment in which injury or growths such as tumors or polyps in the larynx causes changes in a person’s voice.
Causes of Speech Impairment in Adults
Many individuals develop a speech impairment in childhood due to brain development, behavioral disorders, or injury. Some adults may find themselves with a speech disorder that develops later in life due to stroke, injury, or illness. Psychology Today tells us that some common causes of speech impairment can include:
- Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD;
- Learning disabilities;
- Hearing impairment;
- Significant emotional problems
- Vocal cord injury;
- Head trauma;
- Alzheimer’s disease;
- Transient ischemic attack.
Significant emotional trauma can sometimes cause a speech disorder, although this is rare. The sudden onset of a speech difficulty requires prompt medical attention, as it is usually a sign of a serious injury or illness.
How Speech Therapy for Adults Differs from Speech Therapy for Children
Speech therapy for adults has a great deal in common with speech therapy for children, but there are some differences. Therapists find that when administering speech therapy for adults, less time needs to be spent on maintaining the patient’s attention, and therefore more focus is on the actual therapy rather than eliminating distractions. However, adults who are undergoing speech therapy may need reassurance in ways that children do not, particularly if their speech impairment has manifested in adulthood. The loss of the ability to communicate can strike a blow to an individual’s self-confidence, and this loss of confidence can in turn impact the person’s success in speech therapy.
Types of Speech Therapy for Adults
Different types of speech impairments require different types of treatment. Individuals with a stutter most often find success with behavioral modification in which they learn to modify their rate of speech in order to lessen the stutter. Speech difficulties resulting from brain injury or illness, such as aphasia and dysarthria, may benefit more from therapies such as drills focusing on specific skills, group therapy and practice with conversation, and communication aids such as gestures and writing to help bridge the gap where oral speech may not be possible.
What Are the Psychological Implications of Speech Therapy for Adults?
Speech difficulties in adulthood can carry unique psychological implications. For example, an adult may have been told that he will “outgrow” his stutter, and when he finds himself reaching adulthood without losing the stutter, he may feel a sense of anger or guilt. A person who develops a speech problem later in life due to injury or illness may feel embarrassed, which may lead to that person avoiding conversation with others.
MedlinePlus notes that many adults with speech impairments may develop depression and frustration, and that counseling may be helpful for these individuals in addition to speech therapy. This frustration may be especially apparent in adults whose impairment stems from injury or illness later in life rather than those who have had their impairment from childhood. An important factor in the success of speech therapy for adults is the support and understanding of friends and family, as their reactions can play a large role in the individual’s self-esteem and level of frustration. Friends and family should be patient and provide communication aids whenever appropriate to facilitate communication and lessen the individual’s stress levels.
Group therapy may be beneficial for adults experiencing speech difficulties later in life, regardless of the type of impairment. Communication challenges can be extremely isolating, and it may be beneficial to interact with others who share some of the same frustrations. Other members of the group are likely to be more patient with each other, giving one another the time and space necessary to express themselves, which can sometimes be lacking in an individual’s daily life. Group therapy is not ideal for all individuals, but for many, it can make a positive impact on self-esteem and overall emotional well-being.
Summing Up
Speech difficulties in adulthood can be frustrating and challenging. Individuals who are suddenly faced with a speech impairment may have difficulties with confidence and self-image, and friends and loved ones may be unsure of how to communicate with the individual in the context of the individual’s new challenges. But with patience and appropriate treatment, as well as the support of their family and friends, adults with speech impairments can often learn to communicate effectively once again.
Have you or a loved one undergone speech therapy in adulthood? What has been your experience with adult speech impairments? Tell us your story in the comments, and don’t forget to share this information on Facebook and Twitter.
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