Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy for adults is a specialized therapeutic service designed to assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders. These can include speech difficulties, language delays, and problems with voice or swallowing. At the American Wellness Center, Dubai, our licensed speech therapists work with adults to improve their communication abilities, which are essential for personal, social, and professional interactions.

Speech and Language Therapy can help with a wide range of issues, including:

• Speech Disorders: Difficulty with articulation (how speech sounds are formed), fluency (such as stuttering), and clarity.
• Language Disorders: Trouble understanding or using language, such as difficulty finding the right words, forming sentences, or following conversations.
• Voice Disorders: Challenges with pitch, volume, or quality of voice, often leading to hoarseness or strain.
• Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia): Difficulty swallowing food or liquids, which can occur due to neurological conditions or injury.
• Cognitive-Communication Disorders: Problems with memory, attention, problem-solving, and social communication, often resulting from brain injury or neurological diseases.

Speech and language disorders in adults can arise from a variety of causes, including:

• Stroke or brain injury: Damage to areas of the brain responsible for speech and language can lead to communication difficulties.
• Neurological conditions: Disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or ALS can impact speech, voice, and swallowing abilities.
• Head and neck cancers: Treatment for cancers in these areas, such as surgery or radiation, can affect speech and swallowing.
• Degenerative diseases: Conditions like dementia may impair communication and cognitive abilities over time.
• Developmental disorders: Some individuals may continue to experience speech or language difficulties from childhood into adulthood.

At the American Wellness Center, Dubai, Speech and Language Therapy begins with a comprehensive assessment conducted by a licensed speech-language pathologist. This assessment helps identify the specific nature of the speech or language difficulty. Based on the results, a personalized treatment plan is developed. Therapy sessions typically focus on:

• Exercises and techniques to improve speech clarity, language use, voice quality, and swallowing safety.
• Cognitive strategies to enhance communication for individuals with cognitive-communication disorders.
• Home exercises to continue practicing skills outside of therapy sessions. The frequency and length of therapy will depend on the individual’s needs and goals.

The duration of Speech and Language Therapy varies based on the severity and type of communication disorder being treated. Some individuals may only need a few sessions to achieve noticeable improvement, while others may require long-term therapy to manage chronic or progressive conditions. Each session typically lasts between 30 to 60 minutes, and your therapist at the American Wellness Center will create a plan that best fits your needs.

The benefits of Speech and Language Therapy include:

• Improved communication skills for better personal, social, and professional interactions.
• Increased clarity of speech to reduce misunderstandings.
• Enhanced language abilities to help individuals express their thoughts clearly and understand others more effectively.
• Better voice quality for those experiencing hoarseness, vocal strain, or other voice disorders.
• Improved swallowing function to prevent choking, aspiration, and malnutrition in individuals with dysphagia.
• Increased confidence in speaking and communicating in daily life.

During a Speech and Language Therapy session at the American Wellness Center, Dubai, you can expect:

• Assessment: Your therapist will evaluate your speech, language, voice, or swallowing abilities through a series of tests and exercises.
• Therapeutic Exercises: Based on the assessment, your therapist will guide you through tailored exercises aimed at improving specific communication or swallowing challenges.
• Progress Monitoring: Your progress will be tracked regularly, and the therapist will adjust your treatment plan as needed.
• Home Practice: You may be given exercises to practice at home to reinforce what you’ve learned in therapy and continue making progress between sessions.

Yes, Speech and Language Therapy is highly beneficial for individuals recovering from a stroke. Stroke survivors often experience language deficits (aphasia), difficulty with speech (dysarthria), or swallowing problems (dysphagia). Therapy helps restore communication abilities by:

• Strengthening the muscles used for speech and swallowing.
• Teaching alternative communication strategies.
• Working on cognitive skills to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. At the American Wellness Center, we provide specialized therapy to support stroke recovery and help patients regain essential communication functions.

Insurance coverage for Speech and Language Therapy depends on your specific plan and the nature of the treatment. Many insurance providers cover therapy for medically necessary conditions such as post-stroke rehabilitation, voice disorders, and dysphagia. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to confirm your benefits. For more information or assistance, you can visit our Contact Us page.

To schedule a Speech and Language Therapy appointment, please visit our Contact Us page. Our team will assist you in booking a consultation with one of our licensed speech-language pathologists.