Is Speech Therapy Effective for Adults?
You may be contemplating speech therapy for an adult in the family, and wondering whether it’s effective. If it’s someone who has had challenges since childhood, you may be asking whether it’s too late. If it’s someone who has a new onset of difficulty, then with everything else going on you may wonder flat out “Is speech therapy worth it?” I can understand where you are coming from, so I have a few thoughts to share that may help you decide what is right for your family.
Does Speech Therapy Work for Adults?
The effectiveness of speech therapy hinges on the specific challenges you face, the influence these difficulties have on your daily life, and the goals you hope to reach. Therapy can be tailored to focus on functional recovery, reducing impairments, or a combination of both. Yet, my experience indicates that the majority of adults prefer to work on minimizing the impairment.
At times, speech impairments can be greatly diminished or even restored to near normal. For instance, an individual who lost their voice following cardiac surgery may regain it with a combination of medical treatment and behavioral voice therapy with a speech pathologist. Similarly, someone who experiences slurred speech after an accident might be able to improve their clarity and ultimately return to their original speech pattern. However, this isn't always the outcome, but it doesn't mean that speech therapy “didn’t work”.
Even if someone's impairments don't improve as expected, therapy can still focus on enhancing their functional abilities. For example, consider an individual who has lost their ability to speak after experiencing a stroke. While they may not entirely regain their previous way of talking, they may instead learn to use a communication device that produces speech for them. This enables communication with family, friends and people out in the community. So although speech may still be impaired, they’ve made significant progress in their functional recovery by learning an alternate method.
The last thing that I’ll add on this particular topic is that these two approaches can coexist. It's possible to work on reducing speech impairments while simultaneously enhancing functional communication. In my opinion, that's a win-win! Either therapy approach, or or a combination of the two can be effective depending on your unique situation.
Is it Too Late for an Adult to Start Speech Therapy?
There are 10 principles of neuroplasticity that provide a wonderful guide for us in therapy. Briefly, I’ll list them here. Next, we’ll focus on one.
Use it or lose it
Use it and improve it
Be specific
Make it salient (make it meaningful)
A new skill learned can be transferred to other situations
Time matters, earlier is usually better
Age matters, we learn a bit faster when we’re younger
Repetition is necessary to get enough practice
Intensity matters, you need to be challenged just enough
An adult might seek speech therapy to tackle a challenge that has persisted since childhood, such as difficulty pronouncing specific sounds. The challenge lies in the fact that years of reinforcing a speech error can make change difficult. However, the positive aspect is that as an adult, you possess a greater understanding of what needs to be done to resolve the issue. Additionally, as an adult, you are likely to have a strong motivation driving you through therapy, as you have a clear end goal in sight.
At Bright Speech, I typically see a different scenario, one in which you’ve had a medical event or diagnosis that has been life altering. You experience a loss of function like speaking or swallowing, something you've done your entire life. The earlier you begin therapy, the more quickly you are likely to see progress. However, starting therapy later doesn't mean improvement isn't possible. You can still make strides, it just may feel like the process is a bit slower.
What if I’m too Embarrassed to do Speech Therapy as an Adult?
Are you feeling self-conscious about a function you've lost? Or perhaps you're hesitant about visiting a therapist? At Bright Speech, our speech pathology practice is tailored for adults. We carefully choose age-appropriate activities and materials, as we believe dignity is essential. We acknowledge that as an adult, you possess valuable life experience, wisdom, and maturity. Our approach significantly differs from that of pediatric speech therapists, who cater to the specific needs of children.
If you find yourself feeling self-conscious about eating in front of others due to swallowing difficulties, or hesitant to speak up because of speech and language challenges, know that you are not alone. This feeling of embarrassment drives many adults to pursue speech therapy. Your therapist will not only focus on overcoming these challenges but will also guide you on how to advocate for yourself and adjust your surroundings to better suit your communication and swallowing needs.
What Should I Consider in a Speech Therapist?
Ensure that the therapist you are considering holds a valid license to practice in your state at the very least. Additionally, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides national certification for speech pathologists. Both licensure and certification indicate that the speech pathologist has received proper training, adheres to specific ethical standards, and keeps current with the latest research in the field.
Next, consider the experience that your therapist has. Speech pathologists work in a diverse array of settings and with various age groups. As an adult seeking therapy, you want to ensure that your therapist has experience treating adult communication and swallowing disorders. If not, ask if they are getting mentored by a therapist who does.
In the United States, speech pathologists are trained as generalists, but many of us seek further experience and knowledge to develop specializations. This can occur through on-the-job training or by obtaining post-degree certifications. While specialization is not a requirement for becoming an effective therapist, it can provide deeper insights that enhance recovery. Personally, I have acquired certification and training in techniques designed to improve communication for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, I have pursued specialized training in modalities like neuromuscular electrical stimulation to address swallowing difficulties.
You might discover a speech pathologist who focuses on voice therapy, particularly for singers. If you're in that category, this could be an excellent option for you. Others, like myself, concentrate on addressing communication, cognitive, and swallowing challenges linked to neurological conditions such as stroke or Multiple Sclerosis. Additionally, some speech therapists may specialize in swallowing issues affecting individuals recovering from head and neck cancer. Don’t hesitate to inquire with a potential therapist about their area of specialization.
You can also inquire about the preferred techniques employed by the therapist you are considering. Do they lean towards a drill based approach? A life participation approach? Do they like device-driven therapies? All of us clinicians have different tools in our toolbelt to serve our patients.
Is Speech Therapy Effective for Adults
In response to your question “Is speech therapy effective for adults?” I can confidently say yes. Speech therapy offers significant benefits for adults, just as it does for children. I believe it is definitely worth exploring. The initial step involves completing an evaluation, discussing your goals, and developing a personalized treatment plan. Bright Speech provides services for adults in Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area. Feel free to contact us for a free consultation to address your concerns and explore potential next steps.
