Why see an SLP for a Concussion?
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) may seem like an odd choice for concussion assessment and treatment- after all, you’re talking just fine! However, SLPs are trained in cognition (including memory, attention, organization, and executive functioning) and how deficits in these areas impact daily functioning in thinking, learning, and communication. Some SLPs may further specialize in these areas and receive additional training and ongoing education. For patients experiencing cognitive symptoms following a concussion, SLPs play a crucial role in the recovery process by assessing deficits and creating a tailored treatment plan to address patient needs.
Assessment of Symptoms
When evaluating deficits following a concussion, an SLP will assess different areas of cognitive communication, comprehension and expression, and social communication. Cognitive symptoms are the most common following a concussion including deficits in foundational cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and processing speed and higher level skills such as executive functioning. Some patients experience cognitive fatigue following a concussion, or feelings of exhaustion following tasks that require thinking or remembering. Hearing and visual-vestibular changes can impact listening and reading and difficulties with word-finding and language organization are common. Additionally, some patients experience decreased social participation following a concussion due to challenges with attending to, recalling, and processing information and organizing their thoughts to participate in conversation effectively.
Assistance with Returning to School
Children and adolescents who receive appropriate supports when returning to school often have a more successful recovery. SLPs can make appropriate recommendations for accommodations to address a patient’s specific needs and help them to participate more effectively in their academic environment. Recommendations may include a plan to increase tolerance of a full school day, providing additional time for tests, allowing for breaks, or providing written materials.
Treatment
The vast majority of patients who experience a concussion will not have symptoms persisting beyond 2-4 weeks and will not require additional treatment; however, for those that do an SLP can provide tailored treatment to support the patient in returning to their baseline functioning. Therapy sessions focus on cognitive rehabilitation including metacognitive and compensatory strategies, component and functional retraining, and environmental modifications.
Collaboration
An SLP can work collaboratively with other treating providers, such as a physical therapist or neurologist, to further support a patient’s recovery process. Interprofessional collaboration can significantly enhance patient outcomes by providing providers with a more comprehensive understanding of the patient’s unique needs and challenges.
About the Author
Brynn Schor, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS (founder of Peninsula Specialty Speech Therapy, based in Menlo Park, California) specializes in assessment and treatment of cognitive communication deficits and executive function coaching for pediatric patients in the Bay Area and across California. Consultations provided worldwide.
