What is speech and language therapy for adults?

Adult speech therapy helps individuals improve communication and swallowing skills affected by stroke, brain injury, neurological conditions (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease) or cognitive-communication challenges. Communication therapy can focus on speech clarity, language, problem-solving and social communication. Swallowing therapy can focus on relearning or maximising existing skills to work through a variety of different foods and drinks. As taking the wrong types of food or drink can be too challenging and potentially dangerous, this will always be done with safety in mind.

What is dysphasia?

Dysphasia is a communication disorder that affects a person’s ability to use and understand language. It can impact speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Dysphasia is usually caused by damage to the language areas of the brain, often from a stroke, head injury, or neurological condition. People with dysphasia know what they want to say, but may have difficulty finding words, forming sentences, or understanding others. Speech and language therapy can help improve communication skills and support daily communication needs.

What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty swallowing. It can make it hard to move food or liquids safely and comfortably from the mouth to the stomach. People with dysphagia may cough or choke when eating or drinking, feel like food is “stuck,” or take longer to finish meals. It can occur after a stroke, neurological condition, illness, or due to age-related changes. Speech and language therapy can help assess swallowing safety, recommend strategies, and support safer, more comfortable eating and drinking.

What happens during the first appointment?

Your first session includes:

• A discussion of your goals and medical history

• A speech/language or cognitive-communication assessment

• A personalised treatment plan

• Time to ask questions about therapy and what to expect
  

How long is each session?

Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes depending on your needs and therapy plan. Sometimes sessions may need to be shorter at around 30 minutes if the treatment is very demanding or if you get tired quickly.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies by individual goals and condition. Some clients work with us of a few weeks; others continue for several months or longer. We regularly review progress and adjust the plan as needed. You will usually be given homework or exercises to complete in between sessions. Practice helps to increase results and to integrate skills into daily life.

What approach do you take to communication therapy?

We provide fully individualized speech and language therapy tailored to your unique needs, goals, and daily communication environments. Therapy may include a combination of impairment-based and functional-based approaches.

Impairment-Based Therapy
This type of therapy focuses on improving specific underlying speech or language skills. Examples include:

• Strengthening articulation and sound production

• Improving language processing, grammar, or vocabulary

• Enhancing voice quality or fluency skills

• Rebuilding cognitive-communication skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving

Functional-Based Therapy
This approach targets real-life communication tasks to support success at home, school, work, and in the community. Examples include:

• Practicing conversation skills in meaningful contexts

• Developing strategies for clearer communication in daily routines

• Supporting social communication, turn-taking, and pragmatic skills

• Working on organization, planning, and communication strategies for everyday activities

Together, these approaches ensure therapy is both effective and relevant, helping you build skills that truly matter in your daily life.

What is LSVT LOUD®?

LSVT LOUD® is an evidence-based speech therapy program designed to help individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions improve their vocal loudness, clarity, and overall communication. It focuses on retraining the voice and speech system through high-effort, intensive exercises.

How does it work?
LSVT LOUD® uses a structured treatment approach that targets one main goal—speaking with a healthy, louder voice. By increasing vocal loudness, clients often experience improvements in articulation, breath support, and speech clarity.

What does the program involve?
LSVT LOUD® is delivered in a standardized, intensive format:

• 4 sessions per week for 4 weeks (16 sessions total)

• Daily home practice and carryover exercises

• Focus on functional phrases and real-life communication needs

Who can benefit?
LSVT LOUD® is especially effective for individuals with Parkinson’s disease, but it can also help those with other neurological conditions that affect voice and speech.

What are the benefits?
Clients often experience:

• A stronger, louder, and more consistent voice

• Improved speech clarity

• Greater confidence in everyday communication

This program is highly researched and widely recognised for its effectiveness in helping people maintain and improve communication abilities.

What is EMST?

EMST (Expiratory Muscle Strength Training) is an evidence-based strengthening program that targets the muscles used for breathing, swallowing, and coughing. It uses a small handheld device to create resistance as you breathe out, helping the expiratory muscles become stronger over time.

How does it work?
During EMST, you exhale forcefully into the device against adjustable resistance. This repeated exercise strengthens the respiratory muscles, similar to how weight training strengthens limb muscles. Improved expiratory strength can positively impact communication, swallowing safety, and airway protection.

Who can benefit from EMST?
EMST is commonly used with adults experiencing:

• Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions

• Reduced cough strength

• Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

• Voice weakness or breathiness

• General respiratory muscle weakness

What are the potential benefits?
Research has shown that EMST may help:

• Improve cough effectiveness to better protect the airway

• Enhance swallow safety and reduce aspiration risk

• Support louder, clearer voice production

• Increase overall respiratory strength and endurance

What does the training involve?
A typical EMST program includes:

• Use of a calibrated EMST device (you will need to purchase this separately at a cost of approximately £70. Your therapist will be able to advice you of the most suitable one following assessment)

• Therapist-guided setup and instruction

• Short, structured exercises performed several times per week

• Gradual increases in resistance as strength improves

EMST is personalized to each individual’s needs and can be an effective complement to traditional speech and swallowing therapy.

Do you offer online / teletherapy sessions and are these as effective as in-person sessions?

Yes. Secure and confidential teletherapy is available for clients who live outside the local area or prefer remote sessions. For many goals - speech clarity, language, cognitive skills - teletherapy is just as effective as in-person sessions. If preferred, we can do a mixture of in-person sessions and online therapy. In order to take part in teletherapy you will need a smartphone, tablet or computer with a camera and stable internet. No special software is required and a secure link is provided.

Can my family members join session?

Yes, absolutely. Family or caregivers are welcome if the you prefer. In many cases, involving family can be very beneficial as it can support carry-over and progress.

Can speech and language therapy help many years post-stroke or injury?

Yes. Many adults see meaningful improvement even years after the initial event. The brain can often continue to learn and adapt.