Why Speech Therapy Sometimes Fails:  Aphasia

By

Moshe Mark Ittleman, M.S, CCC/SLP

Senior Speech Language Pathologist

Author Teaching of Talking

Developer Teaching of Talking Training

Why do some people with aphasia fail to regain speech?  Is it the fault of the therapist?  Is it the fault of the method used?  Is it the fault of the institution or provider that only allows therapy for a limited time; or is it because therapy was terminated too soon?

 The answer to these questions may include all the above.  Often we are looking for a scape-goat;  a reason why our client or loved one failed to make the progress we wanted. 

But come on now, we HAVE to blame SOMEBODY or SOMETHING!  It just has to be the THERAPIST, or the METHOD, or the fact that there just was NOT ENOUGH THERAPY!

 I’m NOT going to go down any of these roads.  BLAME never got anyone anywhere.  Only deeper into the pit of frustration, angst, and upset.  Therefore, we are not going there.

 Ok Mark, where are you going with all of this?

 FAMILY MEMBERS OR LOVED ONES are also critically important in the mix.  In the past many were not included in the therapy process. Diamonds that were not polished and often not invited to become an integral part of the therapy regimen.  

 I’m going to introduce another FACTOR into the mix.  We’ll call it DISCIPLINE.

 DISCIPLINE is the power to act.  It is the ability to know how and what to do for your loved one or client at home AND TO DO IT WHEN NEEDED. 

 DISCIPLINE is the ability to know HOW and WHEN something like speech and language stimulation need to be done. It is the ability to address their need and help them with methods to improve speaking.  If you miss the moment because the roast is in the oven, or you’ve got to address an inquiry, Facebook post, e mail or even a phone call you’ve lost the opportunity and unfortunately procrastinated or put off a wonderful opportunity.

 If you miss or put off that moment of being there to help the person with their speaking at any moment, you will have PROCRASTINATED.

 Therefore DISCIPLINE requires that you ACT at the necessary moment. You learn HOW and WHEN to help someone improve speaking, and then you address that need at the necessary moment.  That is a DISCIPLINED response.  If you think you will address it later, or you will have time tomorrow (manana) to work with them, etc. then you will be PROCRASTINATING.

 PROCRASTINATION is one of the prime reasons for FAILURE, whether it be studying for school exam, losing excess poundage or helping a loved one speak better.

 Discipline & Method cause Success.  When a person learns the discipline of stimulating speech and language and does it when necessary, and throughout the day, speaking improvement almost always occurs.

 Look at success in all endeavors and you will see the one who truly succeeds on a consistent basis is the person who has DISCIPLINE.  For every time we act and do what is necessary at the moment it is required, the feeling of confidence emerges.  Confidence helps us feel good which helps us continue striving for more good feelings and better results. 

 Each time we do what is necessary for the situation we feel better and more confident.  It’s a great feeling, isn’t it?  Soon it becomes an automatic response.  We succeed due to the wonderful feelings of confidence and achievement.  We like those feelings and that is why we succeed.  The pleasure of success and achievement is experienced.

 We really don’t want the depression, or frustration of failure caused by PROCRASTINATION.  That only makes us want to withdraw and avoid. That is no recipe for success at anything. 

 You can learn the discipline of helping one speak.  You can learn to do what is vital when it is necessary.  You can feel confident when you  know what to do to help your client or loved one speak better at home.  The second part of the equation is using that method throughout the day when words need to spoken, and making that a priority; more important than the facebook post, e mail, or addressing a lower priority activity. 

 There is no better feeling then helping and seeing a loved one or client improve speaking.  It makes EVERYONE feel more CONFIDENT, and willing to DO MORE.  Soon it just becomes a natural part of the day, like breathing, eating, drinking or sleeping.

Click here:  http://teachingoftalking.com/screeningtestanddocs to learn more about the discipline of learning and using The Teaching of Talking Method at home or in the clinic.

Warm and Best Personal Regards,

Moshe Mark Ittleman, M.S.

Senior Speech Language Pathologist

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