When a person experiences a concussion, recovery can sometimes be a long, challenging journey. Many people will recover from a concussion within a few weeks, but others experience a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges that can persist for months, years, or a lifetime. One of the most significant hurdles many people with persistent concussion symptoms face is the loss of communication abilities, including speaking or understanding language, reading, writing, and clearly expressing thoughts. Communication is essential for connecting with others, maintaining relationships, and rebuilding a fulfilling life. For people living with lingering concussion symptoms, speech therapy can play a pivotal role in helping them regain their voice.

The Role of Speech Therapy in Concussion Recovery

Speech therapy is not just about teaching someone how to talk again. For people with a concussion, the goal is to restore and enhance cognitive and communication skills. Speech therapy targets different areas, including speech, understanding language, cognitive skills, and swallowing. By using specialized techniques like neuro-cognitive retraining, language exercises, and assistive technology, speech therapists help patients regain their ability to communicate functionally.

Research published in the International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology shows that 73 percent of rehabilitation inpatients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) who saw a speech-language pathologist (SLP) were identified as having cognitive-communication difficulties. That’s a significant number, highlighting speech therapy’s essential role in recovery.

The communication issues people can experience following a concussion vary greatly. Some individuals may have mild struggles, like difficulty finding the right words. Others may experience more severe issues, such as aphasia—an impairment that affects speaking, writing, reading, and understanding verbal language. Speech therapy is key to regaining lost skills and helps improve quality of life.

Speech Therapy: More Than Just Speaking Again

The goal of speech therapy for concussion and other brain injury patients is to help individuals regain their independence. This can include speaking, understanding language, cognitive skills, or even swallowing safely. It’s a comprehensive approach that may involve:

• Speech Production: Improving speech clarity, addressing slurred speech, and enhancing rhythm and intonation
• Language Comprehension and Expression: Helping individuals understand spoken and written language and express themselves more clearly
• Cognitive-Communication Skills: Focusing on higher-level thinking skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving
• Swallowing: Addressing dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) to ensure safer eating and drinking

Working with a speech pathologist to improve these skills after a concussion can help individuals be safer with daily tasks and regain confidence, changes that can be transformative during their recovery journey.

Common Communication Challenges After Concussion

The effects of a brain injury on communication can vary depending on which part of the brain was injured.

Some of the most common communication challenges people with concussions face include:

• Aphasia: Difficulty with language, including speaking, understanding, reading, or writing.
• Cognitive-Linguistic Deficits: Problems with attention, memory, executive functioning, and reasoning that can impact communication.
• Social Communication Challenges: Trouble understanding social cues or engaging in conversations.
• Mental Fatigue: Daily tasks can require more mental and cognitive energy than before a concussion.

How Speech Therapists Help: Techniques and Tools

Speech therapists use a variety of strategies tailored to each person’s specific needs. These might include:

• Language Therapy: Tasks to improve language comprehension, vocabulary, and expressive language skills.
• Cognitive Therapy: Exercises designed to enhance memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities.
• Speech Production Strategies and Training: Targeted exercises to strengthen speech muscles and improve clarity.
• Swallowing Therapy: Exercises and strategies designed to improve swallowing function to improve safe swallowing and help patients enjoy the foods and drinks they love again.
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): For those without functional communication, AAC systems, like communication boards or electronic devices, can help express needs and thoughts.
• Social Communication Training: Techniques and strategies designed to help individuals understand and engage in social interactions appropriately and more effectively.

Each individual’s therapy plan is customized to their unique challenges, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

The Evaluation Process

Before starting therapy, individuals undergo a comprehensive evaluation. This helps the speech therapist understand the person’s needs and create a tailored treatment plan. The evaluation typically includes:

• Medical and Communication History: Understanding the patient’s background and challenges.
• Speech, Language, and Cognitive-Communication Assessment: Evaluating speech production, comprehension, and cognitive abilities with formal and informal testing measures.
• Swallowing Assessment: If necessary, a thorough evaluation of swallowing is conducted to ensure safe eating and drinking. This may include an instrumental swallow assessment of the individual’s swallow function.

The Importance of Family Support

Family involvement is key to the success of speech therapy. When families are educated and actively involved in the therapy process, the patient’s progress has the potential to be greatly enhanced.

Speech therapists work with families to:

• Teach effective communication strategies
• Provide tips for creating a supportive communication environment
• Help family members practice therapy exercises at home

Family support provides ongoing encouragement, which can make a huge difference in the recovery process.

Choosing the Right Speech Therapist

Finding a qualified speech therapist with experience in concussion and brain injury recovery is essential. Here are some tips for selecting the right professional:

• Research and Referrals: Look for therapists experienced in treating concussions. Seek recommendations from healthcare providers or support groups. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association also has a tool to help patients find the right professional.
• Credentials and Experience: Choose a therapist who holds relevant certifications, like the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credential from the Brain Injury Association of America, which indicates expertise in concussion and brain injury recovery.
• Specialized Services: Ensure the therapist has experience with brain injury-specific challenges like aphasia and cognitive deficits.
• Rapport and Communication: A good therapeutic relationship is crucial for progress, so choose a therapist who listens to concerns and communicates well.
• Insurance and Costs: Make sure the therapist accepts your insurance, or that the cost of therapy without insurance is manageable.

A Journey of Hope and Healing

Recovery from a concussion is a process—sometimes slow and challenging, but always rewarding. While regaining communication skills may take time, every small step forward is a victory. Receiving speech therapy after a concussion can provide the tools for individuals to regain their voice, reconnect with others, and rebuild their lives.

Speech therapy in concussion recovery is about more than just speech—it’s about healing the mind, body, and spirit. For many, speech therapy isn’t just a part of recovery; it’s the path to reclaiming their identity and confidence. Let’s celebrate the transformative power of speech therapy and the voices it helps restore.

Tracie Bearden, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST, is a medical-based speech therapist and certified brain injury specialist-trainer in Denver.