Non-speaking patients?

[RemiJP]

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I came over here from the Audiology/SLP forum. I'm an SLP student who is interested in augmentative and alternative communication for people who cannot use speech. In particular, I'm interested in learning more about the experience of individuals who do not speak when they are hospitalized. I'd love to hear about your experiences working with patients who are non-speaking due to CP, TBI, because they are on a ventilator, or any other reason. Do you interact with patients who use communication devices provided by an SLP? Does your hospital have any sort of protocol in place for helping non-speaking patients communicate better?

If you think this discussion belongs in another forum, please let me know! 🙂

 

[topwise]

I've worked with a lot of patients on vents and it can be frustrating. Some nurses are really good at reading lips, but I've noticed that some doctors are not as good at reading lips as we think we are and it can be really bad for the patient. So if we take a minute to deflate their cuff so we can talk during rounds that can make a huge difference. And later we can try things like a Passy-Muir valve.

Generally, we try other standard things like thumbs-up or thumbs-down or blinking for communication. And then there's the communication board.

 

[FMGP8P]

I'm helping a patient with ALS and severe dsyarthria who uses a computer and electronic speech synthesizer to communicate. He uses movements of his head to form sentences which the computer then says. The SPL therapist works with him to maximize his efficiency with the software. It's really cool watching him use the technology. I'm really impressed with the improved QOL he has with this technology as he would otherwise be in a state similar to the locked-in-syndrome.