Language

In speech therapy, language is the term used to describe the way we put words to communicate and comprehend meaning of the spoken or written word. Language gives us the ability to express ourselves through words, gestures and facial expressions, and ensure we can understand the messages others are sending to us.

A communication disorder may range from mild to profound; and may be developmental or acquired. For example, an individual who has experienced a neurological injury, such as a stroke or brain injury, or has a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease may experience changes in their language skills – making it harder for them to communicate.

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Common communication and connection issues

At Speak and Swallow, we work collaboratively with adolescents or adults who experience the following difficulties:

Understanding

Lose the meaning of words
Not remember information
Not understand sentence structures
Difficulty following instructions
Difficulty understanding emotions
Difficulty interpreting facial expressions and behavioural cues

Talking

May know what something is but cannot say its name
May substitute words or sounds while talking
Able to use the main core words (e.g. nouns, verbs) but cannot link them together to form a grammatically correct sentence
Get stuck on words / sounds
Trouble explaining things clearly
Make inappropriate comments
Present as non-verbal

Reading

Trouble recognising and understanding letters or words
Difficulties recalling details from longer stories / information

Writing

Trouble formulating letters into words and subsequently forming sentences
Trouble organising ideas into logical written structure

Social communication

Does not use appropriate greetings (e.g. Hello, Goodbye)
May not know how to appropriately inform, demand or promise information
Use the same communication style for everyone they talk to
Provide too much information and not understand when some details are not necessary
Difficulties using appropriate language in different environments
Difficulties taking turns during conversation
May not understand how to change topics or may change topics too quickly throughout conversation.

How we can help

The team at Speak and Swallow supports adults and adolescents to build confidence and reach their communication goals with therapeutic solutions focused on improving everyday interactions and activities.

Some examples of the practical support we provide includes assisting clients to:

Engage in conversation with family and friends
Read and follow a recipe
Explain your favourite hobbies, movies, foods, etc
Order a meal
Make a dinner reservation or medical appointment
Organise a holiday
Prepare a shopping list
Use technology or communication software to get a message across.

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