What is a stroke?
Stroke is a disease that occurs when blood stops flowing/reaching the brain i.e. due to a torn blood vessel or blood clot. A stroke can either be mild or severe. A stroke can also be temporary or permanent.
Dysphagia, the name used for swallowing disorders, is characterized by difficulties in swallowing. Individuals suffering from dysphagia may take more effort to swallow food. The problem has a number of causes the most notable being a stroke.
Language is more than words -- what is Aphasia?
To understand aphasia in-depth, it’s important to understand language.
Contrary to popular belief, language isn’t just words. Language encompasses a person’s ability to recognize as well as use words/sentences. Much of a person’s capability to recognize and use words/sentences resides on the left side of the brain.
Autism which is also known as ASD (autism spectrum disorder) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social, communication as well as language problems. It’s worth noting that children with autism exhibit different symptoms that tend to vary in regards to severity. The symptoms also tend to be accompanied by other medical problems that may also vary in severity. Below is a discussion of the main symptoms of autism as well as the most effective treatments for those symptoms.
The main role of occupational therapists is identifying the strengths and difficulties a patient might have on a daily basis i.e. dressing, going to the store, etc. and helping work out practical solutions for such problems.
The term, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), sounds complicated to most people. In simpler terms, AAC refers to the tools and strategies used to solve communication challenges faced by individuals who have problems using oral speech.
Articulation can be defined as the process by which syllables, words, and sounds are formed when the tongue, teeth, jaw, lips and palate alter the airstream originating from the vocal folds.
Stuttering can be defined as a communication disorder characterized by speech disruptions or 'disfluencies''. People who stutter experience physical tension in their speech muscles which causes them to struggle as they speak. Stuttering usually causes anxiety and/or embarrassment.
Voice disorders also known as vocal disorders are all kinds of medical conditions that result in abnormal pitch, loudness or poor quality of the voice (sound produced by the larynx). Voice disorders affect speech production.
Our team specializes in speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy for children, adults, and seniors. Our offices are in Thunder Bay, Ontario, but we travel to communities in Northwestern Ontario.