Kali Walters
SCOM 345
Speech Defense/Advocacy Outline
February 4, 2024
Introduction:
I. Are you or someone close to you a victim of a stroke? Are you confident that you are
getting proper treatment?
II. Getting the proper speech treatment is curcial for those who are victims to stroke to
ensure they can have a full recovery.
III. Speech therapy is proven to help reduce the symptoms of aphasia in victims to improve
speaking, reading, and writing. If speech therapy is not undergone, stroke patients can
have issues swallowing that can effect their eating and drinking. Speech therapy also
activates neuropathy in victims and is benefical because it will rewire the brain post
stroke.
IV. Undergoing speech and language therapy as a stroke victim is highly benefical in the
recovery process as it helps the individual regain their ability to speak, read, and write.
Body
I. Reason #1
a. Speech therapy is proven to help reduce the symptoms of aphasia in victims to
improve speaking, reading, and writing.
b. “Fortunately, speech therapy can minimize the symptoms of stroke-related
aphasia to make everyday activities like joining in conversations, reading and
writing easier.” (PAM Health)
II. Reason #2
a. Stroke patients can have issues swallowing that can effect their eating and
drinking.
b. “In speech therapy, speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose and treat
disorders regarding speech, voice, language, cognitive-communication, the ability
to swallow and other related issues. Through working with the patient and their
caregiving team, a speech-language pathologist comes up with an individualized
treatment plan tailored to the patient's needs.” (PAM Health)
III. Reason #3
a. Speech therapy activates neuroplasticity in victims and is benefical because it will
rewire the brain post stroke.
b. “Much of a speech-language pathologist's work revolves around neuroplasticity
— the brain's natural ability to rewire itself. By activating neuroplasticity, the
healthy areas of the brain get stimulated to take over the function of language.”
(PAM Health)
IV. Reason #4
a. Focusing on functional defects within the patient can directly address the issue
that the victim is facing which leads to the most accurate and helpful care.
b. “By increasing their awareness of any functional deficits within the patient, a
speech-language pathologist can proactively address those issues and provide the
most meaningful care possible.” (PAM Health)
Conclusion:
I. Getting the proper speech and language therapy for those who are victims to stroke is
highly important because it will increase their recovery process. If the patient is not
getting the proper treatment thet will have a more difficult recovery.
II. Do not be afraid to ask questions to ensure that the most impactful treatment is being
made.
III. Speech therapy is proven to help reduce the symptoms of aphasia in victims to improve
speaking, reading, and writing. If speech therapy is not undergone, stroke patients can
have issues swallowing that can effect their eating and drinking. Speech therapy also
activates neuropathy in victims and is benefical because it will rewire the brain post
stroke.
