Warning Signs That You May Need to Visit a Speech Pathologist

Patient with speech pathologist

If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulty with communication, you could benefit from seeing a speech pathologist at Wooster Community Hospital. Whether the issue is with understanding language, speaking clearly, or having difficulty swallowing, you can rely on the evaluation process and skill-building services of our therapists.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the symptoms that indicate they need a speech pathologist. This can prevent people from seeking the help they need.

Here are some warning signs that indicate you may need speech therapy.

WHAT ARE SPEECH PROBLEMS?

Speech problems are any difficulties with the voice (its audibility and clarity), language, and swallowing. Some of these issues arise due to developmental abnormalities or delays. Others result from trauma, disease, or health conditions that impair the use and movement of the tongue, jaw, lips, and throat.

When people think of speech problems in children, stuttering or distortion of certain word sounds may come to mind. When it comes to adult speech problems, the differences experienced after a stroke or with a chronic condition, such as multiple sclerosis, may be most familiar.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF SOME COMMON SPEECH DISORDERS?

Some common speech disorders and things you should watch out for are as follows:

Apraxia

This is a neurological disorder that makes it difficult for certain speech-related muscles to move properly and to form sounds and words. In essence, the brain and the musculature do not communicate effectively, and as a result, the sufferer cannot speak clearly.

Warning signs of apraxia include:

  • Delayed speech and language skills in children
  • Difficulty transitioning from one word or sound to the next one
  • Distortion of common vowel sounds

Apraxia mimics other lesser speech problems, so to differentiate between diagnoses, your speech pathologist will perform a complete evaluation to rule out misleading conditions.

Dysarthria

This speech disorder stems from facial muscle weaknesses. As such, a variety of sounds, both consonants and vowels, are highly distorted. This lack of clarity does not resolve with normal childhood development. In other words, the individual does not grow out of this speech problem.

Aphasia

Often having suffered a traumatic brain injury or stroke, an aphasic patient cannot process speech properly or deliver it clearly. This difficult problem expresses itself orally and also when the person reads and/or writes.

Swallowing Disorders

Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or even some cancers can cause people of all ages to have problems with swallowing. Your speech therapist can perform various kinds of swallowing tests and devise ways to retrain the oropharyngeal muscles and regain their use.

People with swallowing disorders often have:

  • Hoarseness of voice
  • Drooling
  • Pain when swallowing
  • Acid reflux and heartburn

WOOSTER COMMUNITY HOSPITAL HEALTHPOINT

Our speech pathologists are trained to help speech-challenged patients achieve their best potential. We are on-site for individuals of all ages who need immediate or ongoing intervention for communication issues of diverse types and severities.

Please call (330) 202-3300 to learn more or to book an informative consultation. We understand how difficult it can be to have a speech challenge, and we’re here to help you find a long-term solution.