Top 5 Signs You Might Benefit from Adult Speech Therapy
Communication is fundamental to daily life, relationships, and professional success. Yet many adults quietly struggle with speech or language issues, often unaware that help is available. Adult speech therapy isn't just for recovering after a stroke or brain injury — it can also help with voice strain, fluency problems, social communication, and more. If you’ve been wondering whether speech therapy could be right for you, here are the top five signs to look for.
1. You Struggle to Speak Clearly or Fluently
Do others frequently ask you to repeat yourself? Do you get stuck on certain sounds or feel like your words don’t come out the way you intend? These may be signs of a speech sound disorder or a fluency disorder like stuttering. Adult speech therapy can improve clarity, pacing, and confidence in everyday conversations.
2. You Avoid Speaking in Social or Work Situations
If anxiety about your speech makes you withdraw from conversations, meetings, or phone calls, therapy can help. Social communication challenges, voice disorders, or lingering effects of childhood speech difficulties can all impact your confidence. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help you find your voice again.
3. You’re Recovering from a Stroke or Brain Injury
Aphasia, apraxia, and dysarthria are common communication disorders that may follow a stroke, concussion, or other brain injury. These can affect how you understand language, form words, or control the muscles used for speech. Therapy focuses on restoring communication skills or finding alternative ways to express yourself.
4. You’re Experiencing Voice Changes or Strain
Do you frequently lose your voice, feel tension when speaking, or notice changes in pitch or volume? These may be signs of a voice disorder — often caused by vocal misuse, nodules, or neurological conditions. Voice therapy helps reduce strain and rebuild healthy vocal habits.
5. You’re Having Trouble with Swallowing
Speech-language pathologists are also trained to evaluate and treat swallowing disorders (dysphagia). If you cough during meals, feel like food sticks in your throat, or have unexplained weight loss, therapy can improve your safety and comfort while eating.
When in Doubt, Get Assessed
Many adults delay getting help because they think their issues aren’t “bad enough.” But early intervention can make a big difference in your communication and confidence. If any of these signs sound familiar, consider booking an assessment with a registered speech-language pathologist.
At Speech and Swallowing Services, we provide personalized, evidence-based support for adults across the Okanagan and virtually throughout BC. Whether you’re dealing with a long-standing issue or a recent concern, we’re here to help you communicate and live more fully
Book an appointment or reach out to learn more.
