Traumatic Brain Injury
An SLP will evaluate the following speech and language skills before specific treatment begins:
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Social communication skills- Can the patient understand other peoples’ feelings and actions?
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Cognitive communication skills- Is the patient cognizant of his/her surroundings?
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Oral motor skills- Does the patient have coordination and strength in oral muscles needed for speech?
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Language skills- Can the patient use and understand vocabulary and grammar, in both writing and reading?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex head injury, usually resulting from a blow to the head, causing the brain to collide with the skull. TBI also can occur when foreign objects enter the brain. There is a wide range of symptoms and disabilities associated with TBI. The severity of TBI varies, as well. A mild case can be treated with rest and over-the-counter medicine, while the most serious ones may be fatal.
Disabilities associated with TBI:
Cognitive Problems
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Short-term memory lapses
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Problems concentrating
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Difficulty solving problems
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Acting impulsively (without thinking)
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Having trouble processing new information
Social/Communication Problems
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Difficulty finding words to express oneself
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Lacking appropriate conversational skills (interrupting, speaking abnormally loud, maintaining a topic of conversation)
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Difficulty interpreting the subtleties of conversation (body language, facial expressions, sarcasm)
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Inability to follow a fast-paced conversation
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Inability to understand both written and spoken messages
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Impaired speech to due to weakened or less coordinated mouth muscles
Physical Problems
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Headache
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Hearing loss
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Nausea
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Vertigo
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Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
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Loss of coordination
A team of physicians, including speech-language pathologists (SLP), doctors, neuropsychologists, and physical therapists will work together to formulate the best treatment plan for a patient recovering from TBI.
