Traumatic brain injury or TBI is caused by a forceful jolt to the head or body or by an object piercing through the skull and entering the brain. 

Many TBI patients can benefit from working with a speech-language pathologist while going through recovery, depending on the severity of symptoms. 

Here is everything you need to know about TBIs and speech-language pathology. 

Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Non-penetrating TBIs such as concussions can be caused by a fall, sports injury, motor vehicle crash, or an explosion. 

Milder forms of TBIs can lead to short-term difficulties with cognition, comprehension, memory communication and movement. 

More serious injuries can lead to permanent disability or even death. 

Common symptoms include: 

• fainting, seizures, headaches, dizziness and vomiting, problems with balance, and muscle weakness. 
• sensitivity to lights, sound, and touch; hearing loss or ringing in the ears; changes in vision or double vision. 
• behavioral changes like mood swings, and feeling anxious, angry, or depressed. 
• difficulty paying attention, remembering, and learning new information, and difficulty problem-solving. 
• problems being understood because of changes in the structure and/or function of muscles responsible for speech 
• difficulties with chewing or swallowing. 

Understanding a Speech-Language Pathologist’s Role 

Depending on the severity of the TBI, a patient may be referred to a speech-language pathologist. 

“Our role comes in, if they experience any challenges to how they speak or process language or if they suffer from cognitive changes or issues with swallowing,” explains Anne Marie Ruckdeschel, MA, CCC-SLP, a member of the Speech-Language Pathology Program at Salus University. 

Cognitive changes can include problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving. 

Ruckdeschel said that when speech pathologists first meet with a traumatic brain injury patient, they will perform an evaluation to determine what issues are most impacting their life and how best to rehabilitate those skills and support the process of regaining independence.  

For example, if the patient has trouble swallowing, they will give exercises to strengthen mechanisms and teach ways to make swallowing safe. 

With speech, the speech-language pathologist focuses on helping them express themselves clearly. 

Word-finding exercises and exercises to address formulating language can also help. So can training in compensatory strategies like using a device or writing things down to address changes in cognition and memory. 

Treatment works better when the injury is detected early.  

“People tend to brush off a bump on the head, but it is important to go to the doctor; a speech therapist can help with more subtle symptoms,” Ruckdeschel said. 

Becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist 

To become a speech-language pathologist, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree are required. So is a clinical practice either through a university clinic or externships during the master’s degree process. 

Once a student passes the PRAXIS exam, then they must complete a clinical fellowship year for 9 months. 

The final step is to apply for licensure, but speech-language pathologists are also required to keep up continuing education credits and to renew their licenses. 

Speech-language pathologists must also get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a national professional, scientific, and credentialing association, in addition to receiving licenses from those states in which they plan to practice. 

Certification by ASHA validates expertise and commitment to professional standards. 

Read more about the Speech-Language Pathology Program at Salus University here. 

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