Singing therapy to aid return of speech.

[Reels]

Has anyone had experience of singing therapy to help with return of speech?

[cat3]

Not personally no Reels. But many years ago a child family member began using singing as a tool to overcome a sever stammer after his mum heard him singing with perfect enunciation. He was speaking with only an occasional blip within months and freed from 9 years of embarrassment and teasing.

I've tried several times to include a link from a Headway article on singing therapy after brain injury but it doesn't work, so maybe you could phone them on 0808 800 2244 for a hard copy...

Hope this helps. Cat x

[Reels in reply to cat3]

Thanks for this Cat. I’ll follow it up.

[AndrewT]

Dear Reels,

I attend Headway Essex, based in Colchester. Some years ago now we had a Gentleman, his name isn't important, who used to 'Stammer' a fair amount. This man could be, with practice, 'well understood' so there wasn't normally a Problem. However, when this man sang, it was 'Crystal Clear'.

I have also read, though I can't remember exactly where, that 'Singing Uses A Different Part-or Route- Of The Brain, To Speaking'.

So, to actually answer your original question... Yes there IS a Definite Possibility, that Singing could, Very Well, help with Speech loss. So some 'good news, to start 2022.

Happy New Year

AndrewT

[Reels]

Thanks for this Andrew. I like ‘good news to start 2022’! I found an academic paper on singing therapy that has a 'lesson plan' in plain English, and Tactus - whose app we’ve used - has useful info on its website. Waiting for a call-back from a music therapist who works on neurological issues. Underway!

[Windlesham]

My husband has aphasia after a severe stroke in 2018. We sing along to videos on YouTube. My husband knows all the words and sings along perfectly. It definitely comes from a different part of the brain. It has not greatly improved his everyday speech but it does improve mood. Antonyms also come out very clearly so again another part of the brain. Our speech therapist said that things like swearing when you stub you toe come from another part of the brain.

[Reels]

Thanks for the reply Windlesham. Keep on singing!