Communication
Communication is at the heart of each human interaction and can be affected, in adults, by conditions such as stroke, brain injury or a progressive neurological condition. In addition, communication difficulties which occur during childhood, such as stammering, may persist in adults.
Changes to the way a person speaks or understands language can limit a person’s ability to have their say and be heard in conversations. The ramifications to the individual, their family and social network can be significant.
I have experience of treating conditions that affect speech and language including:
- Stroke rehabilitation including aphasia, dysarthria and apraxia of speech
- Brain injury
- Progressive neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Plus disorders using LSVT Loud®, as a certified Clinician
- Adult stammering
- Selective Mutism in older teenagers
Speech and Language Therapy helps improve communication and reduces the negative impact of a communication difficulty. Crucially, it also helps to restore confidence.
Since much of our social interaction involves speaking and listening, my therapy programme can involve working directly with the client and the people who are involved in their life.
Therapy can be provided in your home, workplace or via video link.
Eating and Swallowing Difficulties
Dysphagia, the medical term for eating and swallowing difficulties, can affect a person’s mouth and/or throat, leading to changes in their ability to eat or drink safely. In addition, it can diminish the pleasure of eating and affect the social aspect of meals.
This can occur in a variety of conditions including stroke and progressive neurological conditions.
I can provide dysphagia assessments with management options including swallowing strategies, exercises and diet modifications as appropriate.
It is important that if you notice any changes to your ability to eat or drink you contact your GP.
“Thank you so much for all the support you’ve given my wife with her speech over the last seven months. It’s been fantastic – she’s been making amazing progress and your therapy sessions with her have been so important and helpful for this.”
– AC
“Oh she’s so good and I really like her. I am getting better because she keeps it slow, just right for me”
– NB
Susannah has been working with my husband and me for nearly a year now, following his stroke and resulting aphasia. She has quite frankly been a lifeline for us both. We were utterly devastated by the stroke as we were contemplating a very different retirement. Our daughter found Susannah and thank goodness she did. She is kind, patient, great fun and empathetic and has helped guide us as a couple to cope with the difficulties you both experience following a life changing event. Our sessions have changed as his ability to communicate has improved and we have come a long way. Each week we feel uplifted, recharged and motivated to work on something new. Her sessions are much more than speech therapy, she provides us with ways to get round difficulties and to remain positive. We cannot recommend her highly enough.
– RB
“I just wanted to let you know the past two weeks have been more positive with my speech and I am coming away from conversations feeling a lot more happy! Thank you for your time, it really has been a massive help.”