Every year, Canada sees an average of 21,200 hospitalizations related to traumatic brain injury (TBI).(1) Recovery from TBI is often long and complex, with several physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges along the way. One of the most life-altering effects of TBI is the loss of communication abilities, including speaking, writing, reading, understanding language, and clearly expressing thoughts.
In fact, over 75% of people with moderate to severe TBI experience some form of communication difficulty. Although TBI demands immediate medical attention to stabilize the patient, long-term recovery often depends on rehabilitation therapies. Among them, speech therapy stands out as one of the most effective approaches, especially for those struggling with communication.
Through this post, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) Seema Shah will share her insights on the effectiveness of speech therapy for traumatic brain injury and how it helps with recovery.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a condition that happens when the brain is injured by a sudden force, like a fall, accident, or blow to the head. It can affect how a person thinks, speaks, moves, or behaves. Even a mild injury can change how the brain works, while a more serious injury can lead to long-term problems.
TBI can cause trouble with memory, attention, speaking clearly, or understanding others. Some people may also feel confused, tired, or have trouble controlling their emotions.
The severity of TBI is based on the nature and extent of the injury. For instance, how serious the injury is, how long the person was unconscious, how much memory was lost right after the injury (called posttraumatic amnesia or PTA), and how confused they were during the first medical check-up. These signs help doctors understand how much the brain was affected.
What Other Communication Disorders can Happen after a Brain Injury?
After a brain injury, many people face different kinds of communication problems. These issues can affect how a person talks, understands, remembers things, or takes part in conversations.
Below are some common conditions that may happen after a traumatic brain injury.
Aphasia
Aphasia is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to use and understand language. It happens when the part of the brain that controls language is damaged. This can make it hard to speak, read, write, or follow what others are saying. Aphasia is common after a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Dysarthria
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that makes a person’s speech sound slurred, slow, or mumbled. It happens when the brain injury affects the muscles used for talking. The person may know what they want to say, but their voice is hard to understand because their muscles are weak or uncoordinated.
Apraxia of Speech
Apraxia of speech is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to send correct messages to the mouth for speaking. It can happen after a brain injury, even when the muscles are not weak. The person knows the word they want to say, but has trouble saying it clearly because the brain’s planning is disrupted.
Cognitive-Communication Disorder
This condition affects the thinking skills needed for communication. It can make it hard to pay attention, remember things, follow conversations, or speak in an organized way. It often happens after a TBI, especially when the injury affects parts of the brain that manage focus, memory, or problem-solving.
How Does TBI Affect Communication?
Communication involves not just speaking, but also understanding, thinking, remembering, and connecting with others. The brain handles all of these. When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI), damage to certain parts of the brain can cause real changes in how they communicate.
If the frontal lobe is injured, the person may find it hard to stay on topic, organize their thoughts, or control what they say. They might interrupt often, struggle to plan what to say, or say things that feel out of place.
Injuries to the temporal lobe often affect memory and understanding. A person may have trouble following conversations, forget common words, or not fully understand what others are saying.
If the parietal lobe is involved, reading, writing, or using grammar can become confusing. Even simple sentences may feel hard to understand or say correctly. Damage to the brainstem or cerebellum can affect muscle control, making speech sound slurred or slow.
How Does Speech Therapy Help Traumatic Brain Injury?
Speech therapy has shown to be highly effective for people recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially when it is related to communication. It helps improve the ability to speak, understand language, remember things, and stay focused in conversations.
Studies have shown that regular speech therapy sessions can lead to meaningful improvements, even in people with moderate to severe brain injuries. According to research published in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, individuals with TBI showed better communication and cognitive outcomes after working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
Here are some techniques used by SLPs:
- Word Retrieval Practice: People with TBI often struggle to find the right words. Therapists use naming tasks, picture cards, sentence completions, and word association games to improve word recall.
- Articulation and Speech Clarity Exercises: If speech sounds slurred or unclear, SLPs use speech drills, slow speaking practice, and mouth muscle exercises to help the person speak more clearly and with better control.
- Auditory Comprehension Training: To help with understanding, SLPs read short passages, ask simple questions, and use listening tasks that improve focus and help the brain follow spoken information more easily.
- Cognitive-Communication Therapy: This includes memory games, organizing ideas, problem-solving, and attention-building tasks. It helps the person think more clearly and speak in a more organized way.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): For those who cannot speak or have very limited speech, therapists introduce tools like picture boards, communication apps, or speech-generating devices to help them express themselves.
- Functional Communication Practice: SLPs practice real-life situations, like ordering food, asking for help, or having short conversations. These sessions help the person use their communication skills in everyday life.
Why Early Intervention in Speech Therapy Matters After TBI?
After a brain injury, the brain needs help to relearn skills like speaking, understanding, remembering, and focusing. The earlier this support begins, the better the brain can adapt and recover.
In the early stages after an injury, the brain is more open to change. This is called neuroplasticity, meaning the brain can reorganize itself. It can build new pathways, change old ones, and strengthen or weaken connections based on what a person does, hears, or experiences. This process happens throughout life but is especially active after an injury.
Speech-language pathologists often start working with patients while they are still in the hospital. They check how the person is doing and begin simple tasks to support communication. These small steps can prevent problems from getting worse and prepare the person for daily life again.
Research has shown that early speech therapy leads to better results in areas like memory, attention, and talking. It also helps people feel less frustrated and more hopeful.
Conclusion
Recovering communication after a brain injury takes time, patience, and the right kind of support. Speech therapy can help people gradually rebuild the skills they once used every day.
Seema Shah, a registered Speech-Language Pathologist and the founder of Kick Start Therapy, often sees how small steps in therapy can lead to big changes over time. She explains that each person recovers from a brain injury in their own way, so therapy should be tailored to fit their specific needs.
Meanwhile, Kick Start Therapy offers personalized speech therapy designed to support each person’s unique recovery path. The team works closely with individuals and families to create plans that feel comfortable, practical, and encouraging.
FAQs
How Does Speech Therapy Help Traumatic Brain Injury?
Speech therapy helps people with TBI relearn how to speak, understand, read, and write. It also supports thinking skills, like memory and attention, so communication becomes easier and daily life feels more manageable.
How Long Does It Take for Speech to Come Back After a Brain Injury?
Recovery time varies for each person. Some may see progress in weeks, while others need months or longer. Regular therapy and early support often lead to better outcomes.
Can Speech Therapy Improve Memory?
Yes, speech therapists often work on memory by using simple tasks, routines, and tools. These activities strengthen thinking and help people remember names, appointments, and everyday steps more easily.
What are the Exercises for Speech Memory?
Common exercises include repeating word lists, remembering short stories, using memory cards, or following spoken directions. These tasks help improve both memory and understanding of language.
Is Language Learning Good for TBI Recovery?
Learning a new language can be helpful for TBi recovery if done slowly and carefully. It exercises the brain and boosts attention and memory, but it should only be tried when basic speech skills are steady.
Does Frontal Lobe Damage Affect Speech?
Yes, the frontal lobe controls speech, planning, and emotional expression. Damage can cause trouble speaking clearly, organizing thoughts, or responding in conversations. Speech therapy can help rebuild these skills over time.