Speech Therapy for Huntington’s Disease
Do you know someone living with Huntington’s Disease? Perhaps it is someone in your family, someone you care for, or perhaps you’ve received a diagnosis yourself. Speech Pathologists are allied health professionals that can support individuals with Huntington’s Disease to maintain safe swallowing and engage in meaningful communication for longer as the condition progresses.
If you’d like to find out more about Huntington’s Disease and how speech therapy can be beneficial, have a read of this article from our friendly North Brisbane Speech Pathologists.
What is Huntington’s Disease?
Huntington’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition that causes damage to nerve cells in the brain. Although it is considered a rare condition, it has a strong genetic component and is typically inherited within families. If a parent carries the gene, there is a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.
Symptoms most commonly appear between a person’s 30s and 40s, though some individuals experience earlier onset in their 20s. When symptoms begin in childhood or adolescence, this is referred to as juvenile Huntington’s Disease.
As nerve cells become damaged over time, people with Huntington’s Disease experience changes in movement, thinking, communication, and swallowing. One of the hallmark physical symptoms is chorea: involuntary, jerky movements that can affect the arms, legs, face, and trunk. People may also experience reduced coordination, balance difficulties, and muscle weakness.
Cognitive changes are also common. These may include difficulties with planning, organising, processing information, impulse control, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Emotional and behavioural changes, such as irritability, depression, or apathy, can also occur, further impacting daily life and relationships.
How Does Huntington’s Disease Impact Communication?
Communication difficulties are a common and often distressing part of Huntington’s Disease. As the condition progresses, changes in the brain affect the muscles used for speech including the lips, tongue, jaw, and vocal cords. This can result in slurred, slow, or effortful speech, clinically known as dysarthria.
Speech may become harder to understand, particularly when a person is tired, stressed, or unwell. Involuntary movements can interrupt speech, making it difficult to get words out smoothly or consistently.
In addition to physical speech changes, communication can be impacted by cognitive changes. People may have difficulty finding words, staying on topic, understanding complex information, or following conversations, especially in noisy or fast-paced environments. These challenges can make social interactions more difficult and may lead to frustration or withdrawal over time.
How Does Huntington’s Disease Impact Swallowing?
Swallowing difficulties (known as dysphagia) are another significant concern for people living with Huntington’s Disease. As muscle control declines, individuals may struggle to chew food effectively, move food safely through the mouth, or coordinate swallowing.
This can lead to coughing or choking during meals, food or drink going “down the wrong way,” and a higher risk of aspiration (where food or liquid enters the airway). Over time, swallowing difficulties can also contribute to weight loss, dehydration, chest infections, and reduced enjoyment of eating and drinking.
Mealtimes may become stressful for both the individual and their loved ones, particularly if there is anxiety around choking or prolonged mealtimes.
How Can Speech Therapy for Huntington’s Disease Help?
Speech Pathologists are uniquely trained to assess and manage both communication and swallowing difficulties. For people living with Huntington’s Disease, speech therapy focuses on maintaining safety, independence, and quality of life for as long as possible.
Speech therapy may support individuals by:
- Providing strategies to improve speech clarity and intelligibility
- Teaching alternative ways to communicate, such as with the support of communication books or technology-based AAC
- Supporting conversation skills and participation in social activities
- Assessing swallowing safety and recommending strategies to reduce coughing and choking
- Advising on appropriate food and drink textures based on swallowing function
- Supporting families and carers with education and practical guidance
- Discussing and managing the choice to eat and drink with acknowledged risk if desired
Because Huntington’s Disease is progressive, speech therapy often evolves over time. Early intervention allows a Speech Pathologist to get to know the individual, monitor changes, and proactively plan for future needs; including introducing communication supports before they become essential.