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Hi Mark,
"My husband Bob is still about the same. I have been working with him to say bathroom when he has to go. But he just can’t remember to say it. It’s so hard for him to remember how to say words. I did learn a lot from our lessons. But I am just afraid his brain is too damaged to talk. He can say anything that he can see me say. But as far as
remembering he hasn’t yet.
I’m sure we are not practicing enough."
Becky
Dear Becky,
Please remember the following about “carry-over’ or automatic speech for those with aphasia.
There is something called a “threshold shift.” That occurs when he is bombarded with words that he must say for
everything that is going on. When that occurs, there will come a time when there is a “shift” and you see automatic speech occur, and then the snow-ball effect where more and more words emerge automatically.
It is a long-haul endeavor, and the mistake most care partners, wives, therapists, and even those with apraxia or aphasia make is they stimulate speech for a while, quit, and then the intensity decreases and nothing happens. “Well we did the therapy but it didn’t stick, or We did the therapy and he just didn’t start talking.” (That's the Mistake that contributes
to failure.)
It’s like filling up a barrel of water; a big fat barrel. You have a hose going into the barrel, and it is dribbling
water into the barrel. The barrel fills very slowly. The impatient one doesn’t think it’s ever going to fill and stops.
The patient one keeps an eye on the barrel each day; not in a hurry for anything but continues to make sure water goes into it. Then it reaches threshold; the top of the barrel, and then the water starts to spill out. The same rules apply to speaking.
Functional speech can happen. That’s why the common phrase in aphasia therapy is “Keep going!”
I have been working with Stefan. 1 year now; hardly any carry over. NOW he is finally coming up with words and phrases without cues. That’s how it works. It’s the tortoise and rain barrel metaphor. Stay the course with no concern about anything other than filling the barrel and
crossing the finish line of automatic speech.
I’d suggest taking another look at your intentions for the new year. Rewards occur when you stay the course.
Find out more about our 3-day intensive seminars where we teach family members and those with apraxia and aphasia what they can do at home to improve speaking. I have rarely met anyone who could not improve talking with the right therapist and approach to care. We also provide online speech therapy and
mentoring for those with apraxia and aphasia. markittleman@teachingoftalking.com
For move information click on the links below.
Fondly,
Moshe Mark
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