1. Traumatic Brain Injury & the Effects on Speech
Meghan West, Longwood University November 29th, 2016
Relation to Speech-Language Pathology (SLP):
TBI patients are often on a SLPs workload at some time or another. As noted in the effects section, aphasia is the inability to read or write and is one of the main effects that occurs after a TBI. The onset of aphasia may take days or weeks and the patient may not realize what is happening at first.
SLPs help treat aphasia and while it is not 100% curable, it is able to be suppressed and some level of reading and writing may be salvaged. Slurred speech also occurs after TBI and SLPs often form treatment plans with patients to work on improving their speech to be intelligible.
Lastly, SLPs may treat clients for loss of executive functions by having clients complete tasks focused on reasoning and problem-solving. Each client is different, therefore no two treatment plans are alike.
What is it?
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a bump or blow to the head that disrupts normal brain functions. It can be an open or closed injury. Open injuries are when the cranium is pierced. This can be through a stab or bullet wound that enters into the brain. Closed injuries are when the damage is internal or not readily visible.
Etiology:
Blow to the head
Motor vehicle accidents (MVA)
Falls/ abuse
-TBI is common in males age
-MVAs most common cause in teenagers/ adults.
-Falls/ abuse are most common causes of TBI in children and the elderly.
Visual 1: Normal brain vs. brain after a Traumatic Brain Injury. Cerebral swelling occurs after impact and varies in severity.
Effects on Speech:
Aphasia (expressive or receptive)
Slurred speech
Inability to read or write
Loss of executive functions: problem-solving, reasoning, organization, inhibition
References:
-Brainline.(2015). What Is the Glasgow Coma Scale? Retrieved from
-Springer Publishing Company. (2015, March 26). The History of Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment. Retrieved from
-Traumatic Brain Injury. (2013). Severe TBI Symptoms. Retrieved from
-Webb, W. G. Adler, R.K. (2008). Neurology for the Speech-Language Pathologist. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby Elsevier. Print.
Glasgow Coma Scale:
Test used my emergency personal at the scene of an accident. Scale is determined by the best score in three categories (eye, verbal, motor response). Scoring is as follows:
Mild: 13-15
Moderate: 9-12
Severe/ Death: 3-8
The lower the score the poorer the outcome.
Visual 2: Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury in no particular order.
Acknowledgements:
-Dr. Ann Cralidis CCC/SLP: For allowing me to enhance her neurology course and for helping me choose this topic.
-Cormier Honors College: For allowing me to complete enhancements to fulfill requirements for the Honors College.
-Longwood University: For allowing me the opportunity to obtain a higher education.
Rancho Scale:
Known as the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning. This test identifies various stages of brain injury by observation. There are ten levels to this test with Level 1 being no response to Level 10 being the best.
Visual 3: Demonstration of the counter coupe effect during Traumatic Brain Injury.