The Big Picture
Speech and language disorders can make everyday communication difficult. A person may have trouble expressing thoughts and feelings or understanding what other people say.
These difficulties can affect emotions, relationships, work, school, daily activities, and independence. They can also affect family members.
For a CCA, it is important to observe and listen to clients and their families. Emotional reactions can differ from one person or family to another.
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Start Here If You’re Overwhelmed
Focus on these core ideas:
- Clients with speech and language disorders may experience frustration, depression, anger, low self-esteem, shame, and guilt.
- Communication difficulties can affect relationships and cause people to avoid social situations or speaking.
- Everyday conversations may require great effort.
- Difficulties at school, work, or with routine tasks can create added stress and dependence on others.
- Family relationships may also be affected.
- The CCA should observe, listen, and accept displays of emotion.
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Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know
Emotional Effects
Clients with speech and language disorders may experience many different emotions.
These can include:
- frustration
- depression
- anger
- low self-esteem
- shame
- guilt
Emotional reactions are not the same for every person. They also vary from one family to another.
Communication Can Take Great Effort
Even an everyday conversation may be difficult for someone with a speech or language disorder.
The person may:
- speak slowly
- struggle with words
- mispronounce words often
These difficulties may frustrate both the person and the listener. The listener may have trouble understanding what the person is trying to say.
The person may eventually feel tempted to avoid speaking.
Effects on Social Life and Relationships
Communication is important for everyday functioning and maintaining relationships.
When communication becomes difficult, a client may avoid social situations. Family members or friends may also visit less often.
Some clients with aphasia described feeling distant from their families or feeling as though their world had become smaller.
Effects on Families
Speech and language disorders can create stress for families. Relationships between family members may be affected.
Family members may become irritated when a person repeatedly mispronounces a word or phrase. They may also try to correct the person.
Communication difficulties can therefore affect both the person with the disorder and the people trying to communicate with them.
Effects on School, Work, and Finances
A person with a speech or language disorder may have difficulty communicating at school.
Some people may not be able to work. This can add stress related to financial concerns.
Effects on Daily Activities and Independence
Some adults may have difficulty with routine activities they previously completed themselves.
These may include:
- shopping
- cooking
- paying bills
- doing household repairs
For some people, these activities may become impossible. They may need to depend on others for tasks they once handled independently.
Understanding Aphasia
Aphasia is a partial or complete loss of speech and language skills caused by brain injury.
It can affect:
- understanding words
- trying to say words correctly
People with aphasia have described difficulty speaking even when they knew what they wanted to say. Others described shame, feeling separated from family, or needing extra time to understand what was being said.
One person described wanting enough time to finish speaking before someone else stepped in to help.
What the CCA Should Do
Emotional reactions vary, so pay attention to the individual person and family.
CCA action: Observe and listen to clients and their families.
Try to consider how the person may feel and how you would want to be treated in the same position.
It is important to accept and understand displays of emotion.
Fast Review
Speech and language disorders can affect much more than speech. Review how communication difficulties can influence emotions, relationships, daily life, and independence.
- Clients may experience frustration, depression, anger, low self-esteem, shame, and guilt.
- Everyday conversations may require great effort.
- A person may speak slowly, struggle with words, or frequently mispronounce words.
- Communication difficulties may cause a person to avoid speaking or social situations.
- Family members and friends may also respond differently, and family relationships may be affected.
- Difficulties at school or work may create added stress, including financial concerns.
- Some adults may become dependent on others for routine activities they previously completed themselves.
- Aphasia is a partial or complete loss of speech and language skills caused by brain injury.
- Emotional reactions vary between clients and families.
- The CCA should observe, listen, and accept displays of emotion.
Final Pep Talk
There are several effects to remember, but you do not need to learn them all at once. Focus first on the main pattern: communication difficulties can affect emotions, relationships, daily life, and independence.