Speech therapy services for Adults

The Speech Therapy Practice provides a range of specialist speech and language therapy (SLT) services for adults.

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Loss or impairment to communication can occur for many reasons and is distressing. Initially our therapists will carry out a full assessment both formal and informal to understand exactly what aspects of speech, language and communication have been affected and which are intact.

Following assessment and discussion with you and your family we will tailor a therapy package to meet your needs. The frequency of the therapy sessions will depend on your requirements.

Speech and language therapy for a range of conditions

The people who need our services may have the following medical diagnoses:

  • Stroke
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Brain Injury ( as a result of illness or infection, hypoxia or drug overdose)
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis

People may have the following communication, and or swallowing  difficulties:

  • Dysarthria
  • Dyspraxia
  • Dysphasia
  • Dysphagia
  • Cognitive Communication Disorder

 

Specialist speech and voice therapy in Birmingham and the West Midlands

Full details of each can be found below:

  • Dysarthria

  • Dysarthria is a speech disorder. The muscles of the mouth, face and respiratory system may become weak as a result of damage to the brain or progressive neurological diseases.

    The nature and severity of dysarthria may lead to a number of symptoms including:

    • Low volume or difficulties controlling volume
    • Slow rate of speech
    • Limited tongue, lip, and jaw movement
    • Breathiness
    • Slurred speech
    • Drooling or poor control of saliva
    • Chewing and swallowing difficulty

  • Dyspraxia

  • Dyspraxia is a motor speech disorder that means it is difficult to sequence the sounds in syllables and words.
    It occurs as a result of damage to the brain. It may also be called verbal dyspraxia /apraxia.

    Dyspraxia can also affect other movements in the body. The nature and severity of the dyspraxia may lead to problems with:

    • Producing recognisable words
    • Difficulty producing speech sounds even when trying to copy
    • Difficulty imitating non-speech movements such as sticking out your tongue
    • In severe cases, an inability to produce sound at all

  • Dysphasia

  • Dysphasia or aphasia is the name for a language disorder that occurs when there is

    damage to the language centres to the brain. It affects people in different ways but may

    mean that you have problems with understanding, speaking, reading or writing. The

    severity of difficulty varies from person to person.

    • People with aphasia are likely to find many everyday activities like talking, reading watching the TV difficult and frustrating.

  • Cognitive Communication Disorder

  • Cognitive communication disorders are problems with communication that arise from

    difficulties with things like attention, memory, reasoning, executive functioning. It can

    impact in many different ways such as problems following conversations, difficulty

    “gluing” information together, word finding problems, excessive over talking, changes in

    social communication skills,  ability to explain yourself fully in speech or writing.

    If you want to check out a screening test for CCD visit this link  here for a free checklist

  • Dysphagia

  • Dysphagia is the term used to describe a swallowing disorder.

    People may experience problems swallowing  food and or fluid and may require tube

    feeding in severe cases. Dysphagia is a distressing condition and if left untreated can

    lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and other complications.

Testimonials

  • “I was knocked down while crossing the road in 2005 and suffered a brain injury which left me with severe speech and language difficulties. I had already had several years of good speech and language therapy before I began to work with Jo but she has revitalised my sessions and my determination.

    Jo has tailored her approach to make the work directly relevant to what is happening in my life and so provided excellent support with college work as well as daily living.

    She is aware of modern technology and all the support that it can offer and is full of ideas for activities and projects that interest me and help to keep me improving.

    My family and I would certainly recommend Jo for anyone who needs speech therapy like me.”
  • As a carer who has accompanied and observed one of Jo’s clients to his speech therapy sessions, I have been most impressed by her all encompassing approach.

    Not only have I witnessed a huge improvement in his vocal and communication abilities, Jo has also helped him to improve his confidence, giving him hope and inspiring him to lead a more fulfilling life.

    The success of the therapy goes far beyond an improvement in speaking – it has enabled the client to evaluate his lifestyle in its entirety, undeniably resulting in a greater quality of life.
    Emma Mitchell
  • Jo’s report was detailed and comprehensive. It was provided very quickly and in a timely fashion. Her approach with my client was very sensitive and empathic. She was very supportive during the NHS Continuing Healthcare Multidisciplinary Team meeting.

    Vincent Oakley Solicitor