2. Communication with people with physical disability and speech disorders

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Among inborn impairments, the most frequented one is Cerebral Palsy, caused by serious brain damage either during the prenatal stage delivery or shortly after birth due to lack of oxygen or mechanical damage. Cerebral palsy mainly affects movement of an individual. Impaired movement could have different forms. Sometimes, there is apparent inability to move fast, make precise movements, or to coordinate. Other times, people with cerebral palsy need special walking aids such as sticks or crutches or even wheelchairs.

Speech is usually affected because facial muscles are harder to control and cause articulation problems. Sometimes, the illness affects also the intensity and rhythm of breathing and/or swallowing. The majority of people with cerebral palsy suffer with more or less severe intellectual disability and quite often struggle with various vision impairments (i.e. squinting). The only working therapy is movement training. Orofacial stimulation, a method which improves facial muscle control, is also being used besides some other therapies.


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Cerebrovascular Accidents (CVA)

Partial or complete paralysis might be also caused by cerebrovascular accidents (CVA, “strokes”). Particularly vulnerable are older people; however the age of patients is gradually going down. During cerebrovascular accidents, brain cells are damaged due to blockage or bleeding. CVA affects movement, speaking, understanding and other functions. 

The ability to speak and understand might be fully regained (aphasia), but the efficiency of the treatment depends on how extensive the damage was. Other key factors are the age of a patient, a person’s resolve and motivation and the support and cooperation of family and friends.


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