Adult Therapy

Adults acquire speech and language disabilities through organic and nonorganic causes, such as a stroke, Parkinson’s, Dementia, etc. Treatment for adults is known as rehabilitation. It is rehabilitation because the therapist is attempting to restore the previously learned skill. A nonorganic cause might be traumatic head injury from a car accident.

Although every case is different, communication disorders seen most in treating adults are voice, motor speech disorders, other neurologically based communicative disorders and non-neurological disorders.

Adult Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) means it takes more time and effort to move food or liquid from your mouth to your stomach. Dysphagia may also be associated with pain. In some cases, swallowing may be impossible. Occasional difficulty swallowing, which may occur when you eat too fast or do not chew your food well enough, usually is not cause for concern, but persistent dysphagia may indicate a serious medical condition requiring treatment. Dysphagia can occur at any age, but it is more common in older adults. The causes of swallowing problems vary, and treatment depends on the cause.

Signs of dysphagia may include

• drooling and poor oral management.
• food or liquid remaining in the oral cavity after the swallow.
• inability to maintain lip closure, leading to food and/or liquids leaking from the oral cavity.
• food and/or liquids leaking from the nasal cavity.
• complaints of food "sticking”.
• globus sensation or complaints of a "fullness" in the neck.
• complaints of pain when swallowing.
• wet or gurgled sounding voice during or after eating or drinking.
• coughing during or right after eating or drinking.
• difficulty coordinating breathing and swallowing.
• recurring aspiration pneumonia/respiratory infection and/or fever.
• extra effort or time needed to chew or swallow.
• changes in eating habits—specifically, avoidance of certain foods/drinks;
and
• weight loss or dehydration from not being able to eat enough.