Mark - Modeling & More Questions...

Mark - The Teaching of Talking 

Modeling

For anyone to be successfully with the stimulation of speech and language you must remember that speech therapy is all about modeling.  A person with a speaking difficulty must hear a model of speaking again, and again and in a way that is enjoyable, safe and non-critical or threatening.

Children who have models usually learn speech readily.  Those children who come from "silent" homes frequently are delayed in the ability to use language.

Caregivers need to realize that for an adult with aphasia or brain injury, the speech model may have to be very similar to the one given to toddlers, where there are very small words repeated frequently throughout each day.

People with aphasia and brain injury may relearn speaking by hearing speech that is presented very slowly and simply at first very much like the mother with an infant.

There is no substitute for a good speech model that the person with a speaking difficulty can see and hear.  Speaking is best modeled from a human being who is warm and interactive, and who should be seen by the listener who can watch facial mannerisms, lip and tongue movements, and then successfully imitate them.

In todays world of high tech gadgetry and smart phones with built in speech generating software, the traditional ways of learning to speak are being replaced with computers and digitally synthesized speech.  I believe there is a method of communication for everyone; for some who are unable to speak, alternative gestural or electronic methods may be the treatment of choice.  Being an oralist, I prefer natural speech whenever possible.

More Questions Posed By A Friend Of Teaching Of Talking

Dear Mark,

My mother lives at home with a caregiver who is foreign born and has a very pronounced accent.  I am hesitant to ask her to learn the methods of Teaching of Talking.  What should I do?

Nan, New York

Dear Nan,

What a great question you ask, and I am sure there are many people who have the same question when it pertains to caregivers providing speech and language stimulation. Many foreign born speakers are interested in improving their language, and learning The Teaching of Talking method would be a win/win situation for all concerned.

Since The Teaching of Talking method often starts out with very simple language it would not be difficult for a caregiver to model one, two, or three word questions or statements at first, and then, in time model longer phrases and sentences. The Teaching of Talking method also emphasizes slow-modeled speech where the words are given to the person with the speaking difficulty very slowly, often with a notable pause between each spoken word.  I have not had the opportunity to listen to a sample of your mother's caregiver, however in many cases,  a caregiver can learn to model questions and statements in a very slow manner.  Slow speaking by a speech model (caregiver)  is often very helpful when helping someone with a speaking difficulty talk again. Slowly speaking may also diminish difficulty understanding the speech of a foreign born speaker.  In fact, slowing down the speech rate of a foreign speaking model often makes speech easier to understand and imitate.  I believe you mothers' caregiver could be of great benefit to your mother.

I hope this helps!

Mark



Dear Mark, 

If we saw signs of decreased cognitive function in my mother even before she had the stroke, do you think there is still much reason to believe that your methods will be able to benefit her?  We wonder if she might have some form of dementia in addition to the aphasia from the stroke.  I would just like to have fairly realistic expectations if we go forward and use a totally new strategy in helping her speech.

Nan, New York


Dear Nan:

Aphasia is often accompanied by some varying degrees of dementia especially in older people.  Dementia also seems to worsen when there is lack of stimulation, both in speaking and cognitive tasking.  That is why it is vital for anyone who has suffered from aphasia to be stimulated with language, problem solving, sequencing, and activities of daily living.  The tendency is to circumvent or to allow disuse of a weakened area of the brain and its subsequent function.  That leads to further wasting of muscle or matter, whether in mind or body which then leads to worsening function.  Nan you could read in our next newsletter about neuro-plasticity and Constraint Induced Speech Therapy which are some of the foundational principles of our new book: The Teaching of Talking.  Simply put, brain function improves with stimulation and to address the speaking difficulty as soon as possible with the stimulation of speech and language as long as the person can imitate simple vowels, consonants and simple words.

Mark