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Acquired Communication Disorders

Adults may experience impairments in communication and cognition for a variety of reasons. For example, this is common following a stroke or other acquired brain injury (such as after a car accident). Impairments can also be caused by head and neck cancer or surgery and neurological diseases like Dementia or Parkinsons disease.

Changes may occur in:

  • Speech – Are your sounds slurred or imprecise? Is it difficult for others to understand you?
  • Receptive language (understanding) – Is it hard to process what people say or what you read?
  • Expressive language (use of words or gestures to convey a message) – Do you have trouble thinking of the word you want to say or write? Do you sometimes use the incorrect word?
  • Cognition – Do you find it difficult to concentrate, learn new things or recall information? Have you noticed changes to your thinking or ability to plan?

Communication difficulties can have a mild to severe impact on interactions at home, work and in social situations. Individuals may feel frustrated, angry, embarrassed or upset as they try to express their needs, ideas and opinions.

If you or a family member are experiencing difficulties, contact Box Hill Speech Pathology to book an appointment with our team. She will assess the breakdowns and strengths in your communication and work with you to maximise your cognitive-communication ability in your daily activities.