Sppech and Language therapist

[nannygoon]

has anyone used the therapist? they came to my sister who has psp and not speaking much at all just stares blankly and does not respond to any questions we ask her.Therapist asked her to point to an alphabet chart but she just could not respond and became agitated,do you think it is too late for her now?

[mrsfarringdon]

Hi we had them for my dad but sadly he's jus past away November, they were really good for him not for his speech but for his eating and swallowing, they do have some good advice about PSP well ours did as he looked into the disease and research it to help us, hope this helps keep strong x

[peterjones]

hi nannygoon no I do not think its to late for your sister to see a speech therapist I do not think its ever to late something she says or does might just trigger something off in your sister \\ so anything is worth a go mate I have been seeing a speech pathologist since the year 2005 my speech has gone very quiet

and slurry in some words but she has kept me going\\ I reckon I think she would be sick of the sight of me \\ I know she has just about tried everything that she knows with me but she has kept me going all this time and for that I will always be grateful to her

im only sorry that I have not responded to all she has tried I feel I am a disapointment to her after all these years but I am still talking maybe not as good as I should be but I' m hanging in there my deepest thanks to her and thanks to her for contiinuing with me so give her a go mate otherwise your sister may get to like her own silence which will do no good for anyone\\\\\ least of all your sister peter jones queensland Australia psp sufferer

[SharonAB]

Dear Nannygoon,

Perhaps this information helps in forming a decision ????

The speech therapists my husband has met (half a dozen people)

- have covered a bigger range of expertise than their tiltle does justice. As well as the speaking - projective voice training, they have covered seating posture including neck, head and back, even ideas on assistive and coverings for cutlery and tableware ideas for John to remain as independent as possible. They have also covered assistive technology for computers (John uses word Q),

Talked about telephones for listening and speaking, group sessions to watch documentaries to motivate, activate conversation, watch and visit to correct chewing and introduce double swallowing techniques. The have also looking at best lighting and environmental settings to promote conversation and listening as well as eating. Basically I have found them to be the eyes, ears and knowledge of information for what I thought came under the banner of occupational therapist.

Regards,

Alana - Western Australia

[Kathryn]

We have had invaluable help from the speech therapists. My husband has been to a 'loud' group run by them and they have visited us at home to help with eating/swallowing problems. They are unfailingly kind and though they can't offer a cure help us to maintain some semblance of normal life. We live in Leicestershire UK.

[cabbagecottage in reply to Kathryn]

how were you referred to speech therapist , We live in Wales and referred by district nurse and GP been waiting mnths

[Kathryn in reply to cabbagecottage]

My husband was referred by the Parkinson's nurse. Both the speech therapist and the physiotherapist have given us a phone number to contact them directly if we need help and have always responded quickly if we have needed them. The speech therapist has helped with the saliva problem as well : though he still has the problem we don't feel as though we are coping alone. One thing I have learned since this has come to plague is how varied the provision is, we know people who live just a few miles away who have different treatment from us . I hope this helps.

[cabbagecottage in reply to Kathryn]

Thank you Kathryn , it certainly is a learning curve in every way . It's only recently that we have been able to have a Parkinson's although we haven't met her yet , She is apparently new to our area . She has telephoned me and already set certain things in progress , I haven't got her Nmber and am going to e mail our area Parkinson's suPport officer to find out if she has actually started properly .

We have been under the care of the elderly clinic who also deal with Parkinson's . They don't actually have a P nurse .

John Was 70 when first diagnosed but I never considered us as elderly lol . In some ways feel younger than some other younger people . Until then he was perfectly ok .

Most of the things that we have got have been through my own efforts and doggedness I have fought for all the services we have had so far . To be fair most of them ONCE in place have been very good it's getting to the front of the queue is the problem .

it's a beautiful day . here today so far . and the snowdrops are out in my daughters garden pots . Hope it's the same with you xx

[nannygoon in reply to cabbagecottage]

We were referred by day hospital where my sister attended and was diagnosed there while recovering from a fall and from there went into a nursing home. Hope this helps.

[Heady]

I would like to thank you all, S has a speech therapist coming this afternoon! So knowing what I should be able to expect is a great help.

In answer to cabbage cottage question, we were referred by our neurologist, some four months ago. On Monday, thinking New Year, new brush, I started chasing all the people S had been referred to. All were full apologises, lack of staff etc. etc., they would contact him soon, when I challenged them about now soon we would get an appointment, not wanting to wait a further three months, every single one of them gave me an appointment there and then, so we have a busy week!!!

Lesson of the week, do not sit on your hands, all these people have appointments NOW, they just won't take on new clients, so fight, scream, do whatever, our love ones do not have the time or energy to wait!

Heady

[wifemo]

Hi nannygoon -

Yes, Tony's speech therapist was very helpful. (SALT = speech and language therapist) and her expertise covered swallowing, posture and referral to dietician. Also checked up monthly to see if T had any new symptons etc. I think it was the neuro-physio who referred initially, and she was the one who taught me to "jump up and down and scream" - she would demand, not ask!

By all means, go ahead - if nothing else, another contact and another door opened.

Mo

[jillannf6 in reply to wifemo]

Hi I am on merseyside snd the salt service has been greet to a point .it,is,,v understaffed and im in Email contact i case my needs change .My problems aRe not wwith swallowing at the moment but with my speech which has gone v,much quieter and more garbled so I could do,with,the Lvst again which i not a specialism of many in UK

Lol Jill

[jimandsharynp]

Speech therapy can prolong loss of speech if started early. There is course with excercises on DVD you can get on-line. It's the Lee Silverman course/technique. It is well respected by most speech therapists. Like all therapy the patient has to be willing to put in the work. Good luck!

Jimbo