My 16 year old sons stroke

It is incredible how different each stroke can be. After three years I can communicate with others but not comfortably. Every word has to be fought for and I often talk with eyes closed to enable me to concentrate on forming the right word. Your son has a long way to go but youth is on his side.

Regards

Deigh

Hi Brodz,

Thank you for sharing your son’s experience of his recovery following his stroke. It sounds like he is working exceptionally hard and this is paying off with some small, but significant gains.

Speech and language recovery after stroke is often slow, and it is difficult to know how much someone will recover. Most improvement happens in the first six months, but it can continue for years after a stroke, particularly if your son and you keep working at it. The key to ongoing improvements is practice, practice, practice. The more people with aphasia practice their communication, the greater the chances of recovery. This can take the form of speech drills, engaging in conversation, reading aloud or practicing new ways of communicating such as gestures, communication boards, or computer. Mixing practice up is important to maintain motivation, so practicing speech in different environments, activities and with different people is encouraged e.g. charades is a good way to practice gestures, reading aloud can help practice clear speech and guessing games can help with word finding difficulty.

Further information on communication post stroke can be found here:

https://enableme.org.au/FactSheets/Communication-after-stroke-fact-sheet

In reaching out to the community on enableme you have taken your first step in getting some support. There are other supports available including stroke support groups, including groups specific to young people with stroke. See the attached link for information on support groups across Australia.

https://www.strokefoundation.com.au/about-stroke/help-after-stroke/local-stroke-support-groups-and-choirs

You can also speak to one of our StrokeLine health professionals between 9am and 5pm Eastern Standard Time Monday to Friday. Call us on 1800 787 653.

All the best in continued improvements for your son.

Jessica, Speech Pathologist with the Stroke Foundation

Hi Jessica

Thank you for your reply, we are doing all of the above so fingers crossed. 

 Hi Brodz

Deigh and Jessica might have more of a insight into how song can improve the flow of words. My speech was very mechanical after stroke as had to think about the words and then get them out,

knowing a beat or rhythm helped get them out. 12 years down the track have gone from not saying many words to having to tell myself sometimes to shut up.

Hi Brodz,

Message Marcus here, he has shared a lot about his journey with aphasia. 

Also a podcast about communication/aphasia here.

Diana 

Hi Brodz,

Firstly a big  hug to you and your son.  Finding EnableMe and The Stroke Foundation is a great way to address isolation.

I would add music to the list of what helps, the rhythm, beat, lyrics.

I experienced difficulties forming words, getting words out , the description which George said about sounding mechanical - yes that was very true for me.

I hope that the connections you make from reaching out are the beginning of feeling not so alone for you both!! 

Sue

http://www.strokensw.org.au/aphasia-nsw-2018-conference/