Speech & Language Therapy

Sometimes after a traumatic brain injury, people can have cognitive problems as well as communication problems, which can impair their ability to live independently. They may not be able to organize their thoughts; they may have a hard time processing new information; or they may have trouble finding the "right" words -- words they need to express their thoughts and share their feelings. And early on after a traumatic brain injury, especially if the injury is more severe, the person may have trouble with more basic skills like swallowing, chewing, or forming basic word sounds.

BrainSTARS: Receptive Language
By: Jeanne E. Dise-Lewis, PhD, Margaret Lohr Calvery, PhD, and Hal C. Lewis, PhD | BrainLine Kids | February 1, 2013
The difficulty learning from language alone may make it appear as if the child with TBI is not listening.

My Husband Thinks My Voice is Quieter After My Brain Injury
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | June 9, 2011
Strategies for better communication after a TBI.

What Are Telecommunications Relay Services?
By: Federal Communications Commision | May 18, 2011
TRS enables telephone conversations between people with and without hearing or speech disabilities.

After My Brain Injury, Why Is Speaking Harder on Some Days than Others?
By: Janet Brown, CCC-SLP | Ask the Expert | May 16, 2011
Aphasia can occur after a TBI and affect a person’s use of language.

Making a Difference #8: Communication
By: The Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council | April 12, 2011
Communication can often be challenging for people with TBI. Learn strategies that help.

Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
By: Roberta DePompei | BrainLine Kids | February 22, 2011
The effects of a TBI in childhood are not fully realized right away and, in fact, new challenges can emerge after the individual has become an adult.

Creative Community Involvement to Prevent TBI
By: Amy Skinder-Meredith | BrainLine Kids | February 22, 2011
Learn how one SLP uses melons, swim caps, and brain-shaped chocolates to teach kids how to prevent a TBI and all the communication problems that can come with one.

Executive Functions and Communication in Adolescents
By: Lyn S. Turkstra and Lindsey J. Byom | February 18, 2011
Adolescence is a time of significant brain and cognitive development and, related to these developments, significant changes in communication functions.

Don’t Let Your Brain Injury Keep You Off the Phone
By: Janet Brown, MA CCC-SLP | August 1, 2010
Speech-to-Speech relay, a free service, can help people with speech impairments communicate successfully on the phone.

Communicating After a TBI
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | February 1, 2010
Finding the right words and keeping your train of thought after a brain injury can be hard.

El habla de los pacientes con traqueostomías o ventiladores mecánicos
By: Asociación Americana del Habla, Lenguaje y Audición | Spanish | January 1, 2010
Este artículo presenta información sobre la traqueostomía, cómo afecta el habla una traqueostomía, y cómo se comunican las personas que tienen una traqueostomía.

Los sistemas aumentativos y alternativos de comunicación
By: Asociación Americana del Habla, Lenguaje y Audición | Spanish | January 1, 2010
Aprende sobre los sistemas aumentativos y alternativos de comunicación y cómo ayudan a las personas con dificultades de habla o de lenguaje.

Traumatic Brain Injury: Benefits of Speech-Language Pathology Services
By: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | January 1, 2010
How exactly does a speech-language pathologist work with someone with TBI?

Traumatic Brain Injury
By: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | January 1, 2010
Learn more about communication and cognitive issues that can result a brain injury.

Aphasia
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | October 1, 2009
Strategies for communication after TBI-related aphasia.

How to Avoid Being Tongue-Tied After a Brain Injury
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | October 1, 2009
Reading out loud can be challenging after a TBI. Learn ways to cope.

Why So Many Questions?
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | July 1, 2009
How to help when your loved one keeps repeating herself.

Management of Sports-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents
By: Melissa Duff | July 1, 2009
Managing a young athlete who has sustained a concussion — or several — can be complicated. Speech-language pathologists can help.

Civilian TBI: The Other Story
By: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | May 4, 2009
Learn why speech-language therapy is crucial after TBI and why insurance companies are sometimes reluctant to pay.

Educating Others About Slurred Speech After Brain Injury
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | May 1, 2009
Here are ideas to help others understand why you talk slowly or with difficulty.

Lee Woodruff Talks with ASHA
April 29, 2009
With a husband who sustained a severe TBI and a daughter with a hearing impairment, Lee Woodruff talks about the importance of speech-language therapy.

Hearing Loss After TBI
By: Janet Brown | Ask the Expert | February 1, 2009
Suggestions to help someone with a hearing loss stay connected to family and friends.

ASHA Podcast: Kathy Manning on Traumatic Brain Injury
December 2, 2008
Listen to Kathy Manning, a speech language pathologist, discuss speech issues post-TBI.

A New Kind of Patient for Speech-Language Pathologists
By: Micaela Cornis-Pop | July 1, 2006
Learn why speech-language rehab is so crucial for veterans like Sgt. Wade.

Blast Injury Basics: A Primer for the Medical Speech-Language Pathologist
By: Gloriajean L. Wallace | January 1, 2006
Learn why air-pressure "blasts" can be so devastating to the brain.