Management of Speech and Swallowing in Degenerative Diseases

by Yorkston, Kathryn M.; Miller, Robert M.; Strand, Edythe A.

• ISBN13: 9780761677369
• ISBN10: 0761677364
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: Pro Ed

Summary

The ability to communicate is critical for people with life-threatening conditions. With loss of communication, they can no longer control their health care, make necessary financial and legal arrangements, or remain close to the family and friends whose support they desperately need. The ability to eat safely is no less critical. When eating becomes so difficult that it loses all enjoyment, patients usually eat too little and their health rapidly declines. These two vital aspects of managing a degenerative disease are typically the responsibility of the speech-language pathologist.

Yorkston, Miller, and Strand, speech-language pathologists at a neuromuscular speech and swallowing disorders clinic, set forth the state-of-the-art in compassionate and effective speech and swallowing intervention for four degenerative diseases: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Because restoration of normal speech is an unrealistic goal, the authors emphasize ways to preserve functional communication. T