Speech Therapy Exercises for Adults

Having a difficult time communicating can be incredibly frustrating. Speech therapy is a fundamental component of rehabilitation for a variety of conditions associated with aging and developmental disorders. Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions offers speech therapy to adults experiencing communication and swallowing disorders to help patients improve their communication skills. Continue reading to discover some beneficial speech therapy exercises for adults. 

Speech Therapy Exercises For Adults 

While most people associate speech therapy with young children, speech therapy for adults can help patients strengthen their communication skills and eliminate specific deficits or challenges. Many adult patients ignore their need to seek support because they believe they are too old for speech therapy. However, speech therapy can be especially helpful after a neurological injury like a stroke. Speech therapy exercises can help improve language disorders like aphasia, which occur when the brain’s language center becomes damaged after an injury. These exercises spark neuroplasticity in the brain, allowing healthy areas of the brain to take over language function. 

Here are some frequently recommended speech exercises for adults. *As always, please consult a Speech Language Pathologist before beginning a any medical routine.

• Tongue Strengthening – You can try tongue strengthening exercises to combat weakness in the tongue. Sticking your tongue out side to side or in and out can increase this muscle. 
• Practice Smiling – This simple exercise can help improve your oral motor skills. Practice smiling in front of a mirror. Smile big, and relax. Repeat this exercise as much as possible. A mirror is essential for this exercise because it provides feedback, fueling the brain. 
• Practice a Kissing Face – After practicing smiles, try puckering your lips to make a kissing face. Repeat this exercise as much as possible, and try slowing down the movement to increase control. 
• Vowel and Consonant Pairing – Try to take a consonant you struggle with and pair it with each vowel. If you have trouble producing an “r” sound, try saying “ra, re, ri, ro, ru” repeatedly. 
• Breathing – Many patients experience difficulty regulating their breathing while speaking after a stroke. This can cause them to take breaths in the middle of sentences, making it difficult to be understood or speak at length. Performing breathing exercises can help you regulate your breathing and relearn how to construct sentences and breathe properly while speaking. 

Contact Us

Home Advantage Rehabilitation Solutions offers speech therapy programs to fit your needs and adapt to your needs over time. We aim to help you improve your communication skills through targeted speech therapy exercises. Be sure to contact us today to learn more and request an appointment!