Other Progressive Conditions
Conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease; as well as Parkinson's Disease involve a progressive deterioration of functions such as speech and swallowing. People living with these diseases and their families benefit from therapy that looks for solutions to the everyday communication and swallowing problems they face. Research shows that assessment and appropriate treatment from a specialist Speech and Language Therapist, before difficulties become apparent, helps maintain communication skills and manage any swallowing issues. So it is important that as soon as you are diagnosed with any progressive neurological condition you look after your speech and your swallowing; and we can help you do this.
You may find that:
- you struggle to make yourself understood
- you have to repeat what you have said
- you speak too quickly or too slowly
- your articulation is less clear and your speech is slurred
- your voice is quieter or too harsh
- you run out of breath when you're talking
- you forget words
- you lose track of what you're trying to say
- conversation becomes frustrating or just too much of an effort and you avoid talking to people
- you avoid social situations through embarrassment or fatigue
- you have difficulties eating, chewing, drinking and swallowing. Food or drink may 'go down the wrong way' and you cough or choke
- you have frequent chest infections
Our Speech & Language Therapy can help by:
- Assessing your communication and swallowing difficulties and explaining the diagnosis.
- Providing specific exercises (where appropriate) to improve and/or maintain good communication and safe swallowing.
- Finding strategies acceptable to you that help you communicate successfully.
- Monitoring changes over time and reviewing the strategies in use to ensure that your communication needs are being met in the best way.
- Anticipating your future needs as your condition progresses; to ensure that strategies and solutions are already in place and to avoid 'crisis' management.
- Advising on alternative means of communication such as electronic devices to assist your communication.
- Supporting you and your family when you need it with a flexible service which you can access quickly when changes occur.
- Helping you to communicate those things which are most important to you when faced with a life limiting, progressive condition.
You can also find useful information from these sites
www.mssociety.org.uk
www.mndassociation.org
www.hda.org.uk
www.ataxia.org.uk
www.parkinsons.org.uk
www.lsvtglobal.com
www.msatrust.org.uk
www.pspassociation.org.uk