Are you or a loved one struggling to communicate with others? Are you having issues swallowing, eating, or drinking? Speech issues can greatly affect a person’s quality of life.
Performance Therapy Institute in Brentwood provides therapy specifically tailored to a person’s speech, voice, language, and swallowing needs. Our speech therapists work hard to help patients develop strong speaking skills as well as refine volume and quality of voice.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a speech disorder that is impairing the way they communicate with others, rest assured that Performance Therapy Institute’s extensive therapeutic services can help provide guidance and relief. Contact our office in Brentwood today to learn more.
What is a speech or voice disorder?
Speech and voice disorders are more common than you might think. They can develop over time or as the result of an injury or neurological condition.
The following list details some of the most common speech and voice disorders. If you notice any of these sounds familiar or have experienced any difficulties associated with a condition, it’s a good idea to contact a professional in Brentwood.
- Dysarthria. This is a symptom of nerve or muscle damage. It shows itself as slurred or slow speech, abnormal pitch when speaking, voice quality changes, and difficulty articulating words.
- Apraxia of speech (AOS): A condition that occurs when the neural pathway between the brain and a person’s speech function (speech muscles) is lost or obscured. Even though you might know exactly what you want to say, your brain is unable to send the right messages so that speech muscles can do their job.
- Aphasia. This is a “loss of language,” and it affects a person’s ability to communicate on many different levels. Expressive aphasia marks difficulty in finding words, forming phrases and sentences. This can additionally affect a person’s ability to write. The National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimates that one million Americans have some form of aphasia.
- Stuttering. The causes of stuttering are mostly unknown, although it can be linked to genetics. If stuttering begins to impact everyday activities, or is triggered by certain tasks (like talking to someone new), this is a sign that a person has a speech disorder.
- Congenital Dysphonia. A condition resulting from masses or lesions or structural abnormality to the vocal folds or surrounding areas.
- Spasmodic Dysphonia. This is when vocal folds are open or closed too much, affecting the vibration pattern for speaking. Patients have a strained or “squeezed” quality. It occurs when a person makes an effort to gain loudness.
Ready to See Improvement?
If you’re tired of allowing your speech or voice disorder to dictate the way you live your life, there’s no better time than the present to visit a therapist at Performance Therapy Institute.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!