communication support

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I provide specialist therapy input for adults with acquired neurological conditions including:

• Stroke
• Brain injury
• Locked-in syndrome
• Dementia
• Parkinson’s
• Huntington’s disease
• Motor neurone disease
• Multiple sclerosis

My aim is to work with clients to reduce the impact of their communication difficulties, increasing confidence and improving quality of life. Communication difficulties can have a significant impact on personal, social and working life. 

The above conditions can result in changes to communication skills such as:

• Aphasia: a language impairment causing difficulties speaking, understanding, reading, writing and / or gesture.
• Dysarthria: muscle weakness of the face, mouth or throat which can cause speech to sound slurred. 
• Apraxia of speech: a speech impairment affecting ability to plan speech movements.
• Cognitive-communication disorder: this includes difficulties with attention, memory, planning and social interaction.
• Dysphonia: changes to voice quality. This can include having a hoarse, strained, or quiet voice.

•  An initial assessment. This is to build a picture of the communication difficulties being faced by the client. An overview of initial findings and preliminary recommendations will be provided where possible. Options for potential speech therapy can then be discussed with the client.
• Comprehensive reports.
• Client centred goal setting.
• Tailor-made therapy to suit the individual. Session number and length adapted to suit the client's needs.
• Evidence based techniques.
• Support to clients, and those around them, in understanding their communication difficulties.
• Collaboration with other professionals as appropriate.