How to Recover Speech After a Stroke

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: May 25, 2021 References

If you've suffered a stroke, you may have lost some of your speech, which can be disheartening. This condition is common, though, and you may be able to regain at least some of your speech. Start by getting yourself a good speech therapist, who can help you regain your speech. However, don't stop there. You can also find things to do at home on your own to assist you in recovering your language skills.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Therapy to Help Regain Speech

1
Begin as soon as you can after your stroke. The sooner you begin your therapy, the more effective it is likely to be. Therefore, try to begin it as soon as you possibly can after your stroke.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source} Request a speech therapist while you're still in the hospital if possible.^{[2]
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- If you don't already have a speech therapist, ask your doctor to refer you to 1.
2
Expect an assessment in the first session. Typically, the therapist will use the first session to figure out where you are when it comes to language. They may put you through a series of simple tests, such as asking you basic knowledge questions or having you read a short passage. They just want to know where you are so they can figure out how best to help you.^{[3]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}

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3
Take an intensive language and speech therapy course. In this type of course, you will have a large number of sessions in a short period of time. This type, of course, may help you regain your language skills faster, but it can be tiring, especially since you've just had a stroke.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
- Therapy can include individual sessions with a therapist, but you may also work in groups. Sometimes, technology is used for therapy, such as an app or a computer program.
- You'll likely do things like read passages aloud, work in reading comprehension, sing along to music, speak with a metronome, and match words to images.
4
Try a group therapy program. In a group therapy program, you'll have the opportunity to work on your speech with a group of people that are also going through speech therapy. Practicing your speech with a group makes recovery easier, and it can be comforting to be surrounded by people who understand what you're going through.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
5
Do a less intensive program if you need to. Sometimes, an intensive program can be overwhelming right after a stroke. You may not be able to keep up, and that's okay. If that's the case, consider doing a less intensive program. You'll still see many benefits from speech therapy, even if you drag it out a bit longer.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
Go to source}
6
Try to be patient. Understandably, learning to speak again can be very frustrating. You must relearn something you've simply known most of your life. Be patient with yourself, as it will take time to regain what you've lost.^{[7]
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- When you find yourself getting frustrated, try taking a few deep, calming breaths.
7
Use the communication skills you still have immediately after your stroke. Since it may take a little while to recover your speech, you'll need other ways to communicate. While you're recovering, use gestures, cue cards, written language, or even pictures to show others what you need. You need to be able to tell your family or caregivers what you need.
- Often, your therapist will provide you with cues that will help, such as pictures to show your family or caregivers.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Therapy Exercises at Home

1
Use a reading comprehension book. Therapists often use reading comprehension exercises, where you read a passage and then try to answer questions about it. You can try this approach at home by buying a reading comprehension book, one either made for children or for adult learners. You can also search for reading comprehension passages online.^{[8]
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- Read the passages, and try to answer the questions. Have a family member go over it with you if you're having trouble.
2
Read books for younger readers. If you're having trouble reading, books for younger readers may be a good way to begin again. Revisit some old favorites, or pick up a book or 2 at the library. It's a good place to start, particularly since the tendency to rhyme in children's books may help you pick up words faster.^{[9]
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- Try reading them out loud, not just silently.
3
Add melodic qualities to words. You likely already say certain words with certain intonations, such as "Good morning!" Exaggerating those intonations or adding a melodic influence to certain common phrases can help you recall these phrases when you need them. Eventually, you'll be able to drop the exaggerations, but at first, it can help you get your words out.
4
Listen and repeat words. When watching a show or listening to the radio, try repeating what people say. Just the repetition of speaking words can help increase your vocabulary after a stroke.
5
Try slowing down your speech. Sometimes, you may be trying to speak faster than your muscles can keep up. Work on slowing down your speech, speaking as distinctly as you can. In fact, you can even use a metronome to slow down your speech. Set it to a slow beat, and try to speak a single syllable per beat.^{[10]
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6
Use an app for speech recovery. An app can provide you with therapy that you carry with you wherever you go. These apps will run you through some of these exercises so you don't have to think of them yourself. For instance, try Tactus Therapy, designed specifically for adult speech therapy.^{[11]
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7
Ask for help from friends and family. Your family and friends want to help you as much as they can, so don't be afraid to ask for help! They can help you with exercises, and they can be patient with you when you're looking for words.^{[12]
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For instance, you could read aloud to a friend or family member, and they could assist you with words that you have trouble with.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Incorporating Exercises into Your Everyday Life

1
Enjoy word-based games. Word-based games, such as crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and any number of board games can help you relearn words. Enjoy them by yourself, or play with a friend or family member.^{[13]
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2
Sing along to familiar songs. Often, you'll remember the words to songs even when you're having trouble speaking. Spending time singing along to songs you love can help trigger your memory, encouraging language recovery.
3
Read everything aloud. Whether you're reading a recipe or looking at street signs, say things aloud. Practice your speech as often as you can, as that will help you continue to develop language.^{[14]
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4
Play children's games and apps. While it may seem juvenile, games designed for kids are often focused on language acquisition. If you spend a little time playing these games each day, whether a board game with another person or an app, it can help increase your language skills.