Types of communication and swallowing difficulties

Aphasia

Aphasia is common after a stroke and affects around 1 in 3 stroke survivors. It can also occur after a traumatic brain injury or brain tumour.

It is a condition that affects how you understand language and find the right words. It may also impact your ability to read and write.

Dysarthria

Dysarthria can occur after a stroke, head injury or brain tumour, and is also seen in long‑term neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

It affects the muscles used for speech, which can make speech sound slow, slurred, or difficult to understand.

Dyspraxia

Dyspraxia (also called verbal dyspraxia or apraxia of speech) may occur after a stroke, traumatic brain injury or brain tumour.

It affects your ability to coordinate the movements of the face, mouth and throat needed for clear speech. This means the muscles may work normally, but the sequence of movements needed for speaking becomes difficult.

Dysphonia

Dysphonia is the medical term for voice disorders. Anyone can experience voice problems, and they can occur for many reasons.

You may notice that your voice sounds hoarse, weak, strained, or that it cuts out when you speak.

We work closely with ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, who will examine your voice box before therapy begins.

We also run a bi‑monthly Joint Voice Clinic.

Swallowing difficulties (Dysphagia)

Speech and language therapists support adults who are experiencing problems with their swallow. Dysphagia is the medical term for a swallowing difficulty.

Swallowing problems vary from person to person. Some people struggle with food, others with liquids, and some may find swallowing very difficult.

If food or drink goes down the wrong way, it may enter the windpipe (trachea) instead of the food pipe (oesophagus), which can lead to chest infections.

Common signs of dysphagia include:

  • coughing or choking when eating or drinking
  • a wet or gurgly voice
  • difficulty controlling food or drink in the mouth
  • food sticking in the throat or chest
  • unexplained weight loss or dehydration
  • chest infections or pneumonia

Swallowing difficulties can occur for many reasons, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) or motor neurone disease (MND). 

People with respiratory problems or severe reflux may also experience swallowing difficulties.

If you are having problems with your swallow, please contact your GP as soon as possible.

Last updated: Wednesday 01 April 2026