Neurodegenerative Conditions
Neurodegenerative Conditions
‘Neurodegenerative conditions’ refers to a group of illnesses that are progressive and involve the deterioration of nerves (either in the brain, in the body, or both). Many people who have a neurodegenerative condition experience difficulty communicating and/or swallowing.
Our Services
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Many neurodegenerative conditions effect the muscles in your face/neck which are involved in producing your voice and speech. If you’re experiencing changes to your speech, commonly described as ‘slurred speech’, then we can incorportate ‘clear speech strategies’ into your therapy plan. Your clinician will teach you the strategies, lead you in practice, and create a plan in collaboration with you for how to implement these strategies into daily life.
Please see the FAQs below for more information regarding preserving speech function.
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Some neurodegenerative conditions, such as Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dementia, can also effect your language abilities. This is different from a speech impairment which effects your muscles, as these changes effect your brain’s ability to understand and form spoken/written language.
Your clinician will complete a language assessment and then recommend therapy activities to preserve function. Remember, traditional “therapy” exercises are only one part of your comprehensive treatment plan.
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Alternative augmentative communication (AAC) supports can be very useful for people suffering from a neurodegenerative condition. These supports include voice amplifiers, communication books, tablets with text-to-speech apps, and more. They can be used in combination with your speech to make communicating easier or less tiring. AAC also allows you to retain your ability to communicate even if you lose your ability to speak.
Check out our AAC page for more information on alternative communication supports.
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Alternative Access methods ensure that you are able to access your communication system through out the course of your disease. If there is ever a time when you aren’t able to use your hands effectively, you can access your communication system through other means, such as head control, eye control, or switch access. Your clinician will assess the most functional access method for you and help you obtain the equipment you need.
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An important part of any therapy plan is training a client’s family and supporters to be effective communication partners. Anyone who is a part of your life could benefit from communication partner training. Your clinician will teach your supporters how to support your communication, and how to be better at communicating with you.
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See our Dysphagia / Swallowing page for more information about the types of services we
FAQs
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Research has shown that the best thing you can do for your speech muscles is to continue speaking! Drill-based speech exercises are often not recommended for degenerative conditions, as they can tire your muscles out more. Continuing to talk (and taking breaks when you feel tired) is the best thing you can do.
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Of course! As long as the facility is allowing visitors we can see clients in assisted living or long-term care. Virtual services are also available if the facility has wireless internet.
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If you have a degenerative condition your speech may worsen over time, so it’s great to get used to using AAC before you need to rely on it to communicate. The more you use AAC the quicker and easier it becomes!
AAC can be just one part of your “communication inventory”. You may find that using your speech and AAC together allows you to communicate more effectively and quicker!
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Yes! Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA) is a provincially funded organizations that provides AAC equipment and services to adults in BC. They provide equipment on a “long-term loan” basis, which means it’s yours to use for as long as it is functional.
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Good question! CAYA has a waitlist that is approximately 10-12 months long, so the benefit of working with a CAYA-associated private SLP is you can skip the waitlist. Also, CAYA is a consultative program which means they won’t see you for regular appointments. They set-up the system, train you how to use it, and then it is up to you and your support team to practice and implement it. A private SLP can dedicate more time to training you to use the system, and can help you practice using it in the community.