Speech Pathology and the Nervous System

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that speech and language difficulties accompany a number of diseases of the central nervous system in adults. The writer points out that sometimes the speech difficulty might be the reason for seeking medical help, or it might be one of many factors that cause a person to seek medical attention. Speech difficulties might arise simultaneously with other symptoms, or they might arise at a different time. A myriad of problems fall under the category of speech and language difficulties. The writer discusses symptoms that range from slurred speech, slow speech and other problems that make it difficult to be understood to more serious difficulties, including a total loss of ability to speak at all. The writer looks at related causes, treatment and therapies. The writer maintains that regardless of the severity of the speech or language difficulty, or its cause, these problems make life difficult for patients and their caregivers.

Outline:
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Speech and Language Therapy in CNS Diseases
Role of the Speech Pathologist
Treatment

From the Paper:

"Parkinson's Disease is a dysfunction of the neurotransmitters between the nerve cells. Parkinson's disease destroys brain cells, resulting in a shortage of dopamine. The first signs of Parkinson's are typically subtle, such as softer or slower speech. As the disease progresses, tremors begin, which eventually worsen until hey cause considerable difficulty performing everyday tasks. Treatments to replace dopamine can help to slow the disease.
"Brain injuries are typically not listed under the category of disease. However, they are included in this research because they can cause certain forms of neurological dysfunction that can have an effect of speech and language."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Speech language and Hearing Association (ASHA). 2007a. Aphasia. Available from : http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia_info.htm [Cited 11 May 2007].
• American Speech language and Hearing Association (ASHA). 2007b. Apraxia in Adults. Available from: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/apraxia_adults.htm. [Cited 12 May 2007].
• American Speech language and Hearing Association (ASHA). 2007g. Dysarthria. Available from: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/dysarthria.htm. [Cited 12 May 2007].
• American Speech language and Hearing Association (ASHA). 2007c. Huntington's Disease. Available from: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Huntington-Disease.htm. [Cited 12 May 2007].
• American Speech language and Hearing Association (ASHA). 2007d. Traumatic Brain Injury. Available from: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Traumatic-Brain-Injury.htm. [Cited 12 May 2007].

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