Transcript
Hi, I'm Emma.
This episode
is about the importance
of continuing
speech therapy.
The speech pathologist
or speechie,
as I like to call them,
will work with you
to provide
your language skills.
Family and friends
should also seek advice
from your speechie
to learn
the best ways
to communicate with you.
A speech pathologist
should first conduct
some tests
to work out
what you are able to do
and what your language
difficulties are.
if it doesn't happen,
seek it out.
Language therapy
should begin
as soon as you are ready,
either as an inpatient
or outpatient.
If it doesn't, ask why.
Unfortunately,
I did not receive
regular speech
therapy as an inpatient,
and I was not happy
with this.
Ask the question
and seek advice.
The length of time
that the person
is treated
by a speechie varies
according to progress
and the health care policy.
If you are eligible
for NDIS,
ensure that speech
therapy is included
in your plan.
The Stroke Foundation
can assist you
with filling out
your NDIS forms.
If you are older,
seek advice
from a doctor
about how to fund
ongoing therapy.
Speech therapy
is something
that I know
I will need to work on
for a long time.
Fortunately,
I have a great speechie,
who tailors
my therapy
to the things I need.
For example,
when I returned to work,
she helped me improve
my vocabulary
relevant
to the needs of my job.
It's important
to do any homework
your speechie sets you.
Practice, practice, practice.
Set goals
with the help of your speechie,
and/or family and friends.
Do something
every day
for your recovery.
For example,
I love doing Find-A-Words,
and they help me greatly
to relax myself
in reading and spelling.
I wanted to improve
my reading skills.
So I practice every night.
I am managing
to read books slowly
but surely.
Don't compare yourself
with others.
Just compare yourself
with you.
The more repetition,
the greater
the opportunity
to remember the language
you have lost.
You have to accept
that you have had
a significant brain injury
and it might not be possible
to regain everything
you have lost.
But recovery
can continue
for a long time.
I am also fortunate
that my aphasia
communication group
is supported
by a speechie
and students.
Every fortnight
they provide our group
with language activities
to work on.
Even though
this is generalised
and sometimes easy for me,
I use the opportunity
to help other members
of our group
do the work.
My best tips are ...
Number one.
Seek out the services
of a good speechie.
If you are not happy
with your current one,
ask for advice.
Or check out
The Speech Pathology Australia
website
for a speech therapist
near you
that specialises
in aphasia.
Number two.
Find out
if there is
a communication group
near you
that you can join.
If not, many offer
Zoom links
for those who live
in rural areas.
Number three.
Check out the websites
of organisations
like the
Australian Aphasia Association.
They specialise
in supporting people
with aphasia
in their own communities.
Never quit
and stay strong,
determined and positive.
