Speech Therapy After Stroke

Personalized Speech Therapy for Stroke Recovery

Every stroke is different, and so is every recovery journey. That’s why our therapists begin with a detailed evaluation to understand the root of each patient’s communication challenges. Based on this assessment, we create an individualized care plan that targets key areas including speech, cognition, voice, and swallowing—as well as reading, writing, and memory skills.

The most common speech and language disorder after a stroke is aphasia, which can affect one’s ability to understand or express language. The two main types are:

• Receptive aphasia: difficulty understanding speech.

• Expressive aphasia: difficulty expressing thoughts or finding the right words.

Other stroke-related speech conditions include:

• Dysarthria: weakness in the muscles used for speech (lips, tongue, or throat).

• Dyspraxia: difficulty coordinating the movements required to speak, even when muscles are strong.

The best speech therapy for stroke patients addresses not only speech, but also related challenges such as:

• Changes in tone, facial expression, or emotional expression

• Fatigue that makes conversation physically tiring

• Difficulty with memory or concentration

• Mood or personality changes

• Swallowing problems

Our speech-language pathologists use proven therapeutic strategies to help each patient communicate more effectively and participate more fully in daily life.

Understanding Aphasia

Aphasia occurs when the brain’s language center—usually on the left side—is damaged by a stroke or head injury. It can appear suddenly or develop gradually due to other neurological conditions. Common signs include:

• Short or incomplete sentences

• Sentences that don’t make sense

• Substituting one word or sound for another

• Using unrecognizable words

• Difficulty understanding others

• Writing sentences that don’t make sense

Speech therapy for aphasia focuses on restoring language abilities, enhancing communication skills, and teaching alternative ways to express oneself, such as through gestures or communication devices.

Improving Speech After a Stroke

Relearning how to speak is a gradual and challenging process, but with encouragement and consistency, meaningful progress is possible. At Bella Vista, our speech therapists foster a supportive and motivating environment where patients feel empowered to practice and grow.

Through consistent therapy and repetition—similar to physical exercise—the brain can rebuild neural connections that link words, sounds, and meanings. Over time, patients may experience improvements in:

• Speech clarity and confidence

• Voice volume control

• Word recall and sentence formation

• Comprehension and listening

• Attention and concentration

• Organization of thoughts

• Appropriate facial expressions

• Decision-making and memory

• Safe swallowing techniques

Speech Therapy Exercises After Stroke

Speech therapy continues beyond in-clinic sessions—home practice plays a key role in long-term success. Our therapists guide patients through personalized exercises, including:

• Breathing exercises: To improve control and rhythm during speech.

• Tongue strengthening exercises: To enhance articulation and rebuild “muscle memory” for speech.

• Speech sound practice: Focused repetition to improve clarity and pronunciation.

• Picture naming: Strengthens the connection between objects, words, and speech production.

• Sentence practice: Helps patients rebuild fluency and confidence in expressing complete thoughts.

Dementia and Stroke Speech Therapy Programs

Our goal is to help each resident regain communication, comprehension, and swallowing abilities—and to provide the tools and strategies they need for continued progress at home.

At Bella Vista Health Center, we offer several specialized programs for speech therapy and neurological rehabilitation, including:

Dysphagia Retraining

For individuals affected by stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injury, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is common. Our therapists strengthen throat muscles and teach safe swallowing techniques to reduce the risk of aspiration.

Cognitive Retraining

Cognitive retraining helps improve memory, problem-solving, and attention span. Therapists also assist patients in creating structured routines and developing strategies to manage daily challenges more independently.

Communication Retraining

For those who have lost the ability to initiate or sequence speech sounds, this program focuses on muscle coordination, breath support, and articulation, enabling patients to regain clear and natural speech.

Start the Journey Toward Better Communication

If your loved one is recovering from a stroke or struggling with speech or swallowing difficulties, our dedicated team at is here to help. We provide compassionate, expert care designed to support recovery, confidence, and independence.

Call us today at (619) 644-1000 to learn more about our Speech Therapy programs in San Diego.