At first glance the song ‘It ain’t what you do it’s the way that you do it’, by Bananarama and Fun Boy Three, seems to be a long way from my work as a speech and language therapist. That is, until you consider it in the context of how words and speech can sound. Transpose the lyric to ‘It ain’t what you say but the way that you say it’ and suddenly you reach the link to speech and language therapy.
Many of my clients have no difficulty with what they say. The words and language they use is not affected in any way. However, they live with the constant challenge that how they say words and sentences, doesn’t sound as they hoped. That longed for crisp, clear talking is replaced by a spectrum of difficulties. These can range from a perceived slight slurring to distortion or omissions of speech sounds. Or a reduction in volume to speech that becomes completely unintelligible to those listening.
The name given to this range of speech difficulties is Dysarthria. The alterations that occur result from to damage to the nerves controlling speech production and can cause changes to muscle strength and control in the lips, tongue, soft palate, voice box and lungs. People experiencing a dysarthria may be affected by a sudden brain injury such as stroke or changes to their brain due to a progressive neurological condition such as Parkinson’s Disease.
Individuals affected by this condition tell of their frustration and embarrassment when speaking. They describe the challenges facing being heard or understood and their loss of confidence in speaking in social situations. It is a condition that can cause people to say less than they want and may lead to those affected becoming withdrawn and isolated.
Speech and Language Therapy can help. Through a combination of education around how speech is produced, implementation of techniques and adoption of strategies to support people and their families, communication can improve.
Solution Focused practice is also a helpful partner to use alongside traditional therapy. It might be used to help with the psychological impact of communication difficulties to facilitating noticing where the hoped-for changes and aims of therapy begin to materialise.
Whilst traditional speech therapy can help LSVT Loud®is the gold standard therapy for people affected by PD, Parkinsonism, disorders such as PSP or MSA and some types of dysarthria caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury. This evidenced-based approach is intensive and follows an established and standardised protocol. 16 sessions of 1 hour each, are delivered 4 days per week over 4 weeks, with required home practice undertaken each day. The evidence base for improved vocal loudness and intelligibility is provided by over 30 years of research. Not only does the approach improve speech production during therapy but the improvements are maintained for months after. I am an accredited LSVT Loud®clinician and deliver this approach effectively both face to face or remotely via video link.
If you, or a loved one relate to the altered lyrics ‘It ain’t what you say, but the way that you say it’, please get in touch.