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Stroke and transient ischaemic attack - Management
Speech and communication difficulties
People with speech difficulties should be referred to a speech and language therapist for assessment and treatment:
- Aphasia — impairment of language:
- Aphasia (also known as dysphasia) is a specific impairment of language function; the ability to form and understand words, whether orally or in writing.
- Aphasia is associated with damage to the dominant cerebral hemisphere (usually the left). Subtle difficulties with communication can occur with damage to the non-dominant cerebral hemisphere.
- Dysarthria:
- Dysarthria occurs when control over the muscles responsible for speech is impaired. Speech is slurred. Dysarthria is often associated with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
- Apraxia of speech:
- A small proportion of people with stroke have specific impairment of the ability to plan and execute the multiple skilled motor tasks required for successful talking; this is apraxia of speech. It is usually associated with damage to the left cerebral hemisphere.
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