What Happens In Speech Therapy For Adults?

As children develop their communication skills, speech therapy can be a necessary support to help meet speech developmental milestones. While not as common, adults — including seniors — can also benefit from speech therapy.

If you or a loved one are in need of adult speech-language therapy following a diagnosed condition, injury, or degenerative disease, turn to the team at Monument Health Group. Get the quality care you deserve with a team committed to your health. 

Learn more about the benefits of speech therapy for adults at Monument Health Group

What Is Adult Speech Therapy, And How Does It Differ From Speech Therapy For Children?

As you can expect in child speech therapy, adult speech therapy will involve an assessment, a diagnosis, and a treatment plan. However, unlike child speech therapy, adult speech therapy does not typically focus on developmental delays.

Adults don’t usually receive speech therapy for developmental delays. Instead, speech therapy is generally sought after if an adult has a speech disorder that’s resulted from a cognitive delay, a traumatic brain injury, a stroke, or even a degenerative disease, such as Parkinson’s.

Speech therapy can also help adults clarify their speech if they did not receive appropriate services when they were younger. Finally, some adults might seek a speech therapist to alter their speech, improve an accent, or improve their overall public speaking abilities. 

What Conditions Can Adult Speech Therapy Help With?

Speech therapy can help adults work on and improve a variety of conditions that may be causing them trouble with their speech. Adult speech therapy for speech disorders is common among older adults and those who have a lifelong speech disorder. Below are some common conditions.

Motor Speech Disorders

These disorders relate to an adult’s ability to coordinate how their lips, tongue, teeth, and respiratory movements work with each other to create appropriate sounds. 

Fluency Improvement

If you struggle with fluency issues, you may be experiencing struggles, such as speaking with a stutter or having an abnormal flow to your speech. You might also repeat words when you’re speaking or repeat sounds and syllables. This interruption in your speech can make it difficult to communicate your thoughts clearly, causing others to sometimes misunderstand you.

Language And Communication Disorders

There are various language disorders that adults may experience. Some of these disorders may be the result of a serious injury, such as a traumatic brain injury. These types of disorders can make it difficult to understand or process speech when you hear it. It can also be difficult for you to put words to your thoughts.

Disorders Related To Cognitive Communication

Impairments in memory due to an injury or a degenerative disease, like dementia, can cause you to have cognitive communication disorders. The type of disorders that require speech therapy often look like targeted therapy to improve cognitive skills. This will, in turn, help you improve your speech and communication skills. 

How Does A Typical Speech Therapy Session For Adults Work? 

Adult therapy sessions can look different based on the adult and the services they’re receiving. Typically, here’s what to expect in adult speech therapy: 

• Therapy sessions will generally take place in either a clinical setting or in a home setting
• If you live in an assisted living facility or skilled living facility, speech therapy can take place in that environment as well
• Sessions will usually happen several times a week in a structured and routine manner
• All adults will undergo an initial assessment to determine what their diagnosis is and what an appropriate treatment plan should be

What Are Common Techniques Used In Speech Therapy For Adults?

Various techniques are used in adult speech therapy, and the type of technique used largely depends on the diagnosis a person has. However, some common techniques that adults can experience during a speech therapy session include: 

• Articulation exercises
• Voice therapy to work on sounds, pitch, and overall fluency
• Oral motor exercises
• Conversational practice 
• Technology-assisted practice 
• Read aloud to improve your overall speech
• Playing word games
• Breathing exercises
• Cognitive exercises

How Long Does Speech Therapy Usually Take For Adults?

The overall time frame needed for adults undergoing speech therapy largely depends on the diagnosis that an adult is working through. Generally, however, adults can expect to engage in speech therapy sessions anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years. 

Can Speech Therapy Help Adults After A Stroke Or Brain Injury?

Yes. Speech therapy can be used to help adults improve their speech after experiencing a stroke. However, it’s important to recognize that the type of stroke and severity of the stroke can determine whether or not speech therapy is an appropriate avenue for recovery.

How Does Speech Therapy Work For Stroke Patients?

The medical term used to describe communication problems that result from a stroke is called “aphasia.” There are several different types of aphasia. For example, some types of aphasia can result in a victim understanding what others say, but they may have difficulty putting together the words that they want to use to respond to what others are saying.

Working with a speech-language pathologist allows you to learn different techniques and strategies to help you improve your communication or emotions associated with the symptoms you’re experiencing. 

In some cases, after you have a stroke, you might lose the function of the oral motor skills you once had. In this case, a speech-language pathologist will help you work through these oral motor skills to regain control of your speech. 

What Are The Goals Of Speech Therapy For Adults With Communication Disorders?

The goal of speech therapy for adults who have communication disorders is to help them improve their overall speech abilities. This can include everything from improving pronunciation to improving your muscles to create the appropriate sounds and tones while speaking. Of course, because every adult who undergoes speech therapy has a unique treatment plan, goals will also be unique and can differ from person to person.

How Does Speech Therapy Improve The Quality Of Life For Adults?

Speech therapy for adults can have a significant impact on their lives. Not only does speech therapy help improve cognitive abilities and overall speaking abilities, but speech therapy also plays a tremendous role in helping improve an adult’s confidence.

Get The Quality Care You Deserve 

At Monument Health Group, we have a dedicated team of healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, who can help you regain control over your life. Our therapists will work with you to identify gaps and underlying causes of your speech disorder. They’ll help you build the skills you need to lead a life of health and wellness. 

Learn more when you contact the team at Monument Health Group

Sources:

Aphasia. (2024). 

Gibson, C. (2024). Speech Therapy for People with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Speech and Language Developmental Milestones. (2022).