Recovery and Rehabilitation
What the Brain Does
• Use the wrong words with numbers.
Each part of the brain has a role in
controlling the body. The brain controls
breathing, blood flow, and movement.
The brain also allows you to think, handle
emotions, and make judgments.
Tips:
• Ask yes or no questions.
• Speak slowly and clearly.
• Use simple words.
• Be patient, give time for a response.
• Try not to speak for someone.
• Praise any efforts or progress.
• Don’t ignore them.
• Don’t pretend to understand when you
don’t.
Roles of Different Areas
in the Brain
• The front of the brain is the center for
emotions and reasoning. This is where
personality comes from.
• The right side of the brain controls the left
side of the body. The right side also directs
problem-solving and spatial skills, such as
judging distance.
• The left side of the brain controls the right
side of the body. It also handles verbal or
language skills.
• The brain stem handles basic body
functions, such as breathing, blood flow,
and swallowing.
• The back of the brain controls vision.
Guide for Swallowing
Solids
m
m
m
m
m
None
Pureed
Soft
Regular
Other
m Left
m
m
m
m
m
Signs of dysarthria:
• Unable to make certain sounds.
• Unable to speak whole sentences clearly.
• Unable to control tone or volume of voice
or breaks between words.
• Unable to realize speech is hard to understand.
• Speak certain sounds louder than others
• Sound harsh or raspy.
• Pause for breaths in the wrong places.
• Drop or slur parts of words.
• Speak with hesitancy.
• Speak without moving mouth.
Aphasia is a loss of language skill. It may
occur if the brain is damaged. People with
aphasia may not be able to express thoughts
(expressive aphasia) or understand others
(receptive aphasia).
Swallowing Changes
Dysphagia
Signs of aphasia:
• Unable to understand words when others
speak.
• Unable to speak in complete sentences.
• Unable to read or write.
• Unable to understand that numbers have
meaning.
• Speak in nouns or verbs.
• Mix up order of words in a sentence.
Your speech therapist will put you on a special diet to help you make swallowing safer
and easier. Your diet will change as your
swallowing improves. Follow the swallowing guide below. Your speech therapist will
check off the boxes that apply to you.
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None
Ultra Thick
Thick
Thin
Other
m
m
m
m
m
m
None by Mouth
Crushed
Liquid form only
With food
With water
Other
m Right
Body Posture
Dysarthria is a speech problem caused by a
lack of control over muscles in the face and
mouth. A person who has dysarthria knows
which words to use, but may not make the
right sounds.
Aphasia
m
m
m
m
m
Medications
Which Side of Mouth to Use:
Dysarthria
Communication
Changes
Liquids
Techniques
Sit up straight (90 degrees)
Recline______ degrees
Face forward
Remain upright ______minutes after a meal
Other
m
m
m
m
m
Turn head left/right
Tuck chin for each swallow
Tuck chin for___________
2 swallows/double swallow
Alternate liquids and solids
Moving and Walking Safely
Transfer: Wheelchair to Chair
Patients who cannot walk are taught to
use wheelchairs. For safety, the therapist
will instruct you the correct way to sit in or
get out of the wheelchair. Pivoting is done
towards the stronger leg.
by using a transfer sheet or by wearing
clothing.
• Keep your body parts in correct position
(feet flat on floor, keep foot aligned with the
knee, make fists with your hands keeping
fingers from getting under the board).
Transfer: Using a Transfer Board
Transfer: Bed to Wheelchair
Your caregivers should follow these steps for
safety.
• Lock the wheelchair.
• Turn over onto back or side facing the
wheelchair.
• One arm positioned under neck with hand
under the shoulder and the other hand
behind the knees.
• Swing legs over the edge of the bed, lifting
to a sitting position.
• Scoot to the edge of the bed.
• Both arms around the chest and clasp
hands behind the back.
A transfer board is typically a flat, rigid board
made of wood or plastic. Using a board
allows you to move between surfaces without
using your legs and using several small
movements instead of one big motion.
Tips:
• Keep transfer board within reach.
• Move slowly and carefully.
• Transfer between surfaces of similar height
or to lower surface.
• Protect your skin from pinching or rubbing
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