Adults with speech and language difficulties are often impacted socially, educationally, professionally, interpersonally or emotionally. The Gordon Speech, Language and Learning Clinic offers a number of programs for adults to treat a range of different communication problems. These include treatment for issues arising from stroke, head injury and neurological disorders as well as stuttering, the modification of foreign accents and vocal issues experienced by professional voice users such as teachers, singers and public speakers.

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Adults with communication difficulties may experience problems in one or more of the following areas:

 

• Language comprehension and expressive disorders

• Acquired communication disorders

• Cognitive difficulties

• Social skill development

• Voice disorders

• Stuttering

 

Language comprehension and expressive disorders

These difficulties may arise following stroke, traumatic head injury, brain tumours or other brain damage. Therapy is specifically targeted and designed to strengthen functional verbal and written communication skills.

 

Acquired communication disorders

Acquired communication disorders may be a result of stroke, head injury, neurosurgery, progressive neurological disease, head and neck surgery and other medical conditions.  They may be demonstrated by poor muscle co-ordination that produces incorrect and indistinct speech.

 

Cognitive difficulties 

These communication difficulties are demonstrated by problems with memory, learning, concentration, reasoning, problem solving, processing speed, planning or self monitoring.

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Social Skills

Adults with a range of communication difficulties are likely to experience problems with social skills.  This may affect their ability to form and maintain relationships, or to participate successfully in their workplace or community, 

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Voice disorders

Voice disorders impact on the function and quality of a person's normal voice.  Voice issues can interfere with an individual's ability to communicate and can result in a communication disorder that interferes with their professional and social lives.

 

Stuttering

Stuttering in adults can involve the repetition, elongation or blocking of a sound, word or even a phrase. It may even involve involuntary movement of the face such as tics, word avoidance or avoidance of speaking in certain situations or with certain people.