Speech Therapy After Stroke & Neurological Changes
Who this is for
Communication can change after a stroke, brain injury, or brain tumour, or gradually with a condition like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, or dementia. We work with adults who want to keep talking with family and friends, handle appointments and phone calls, get back to work or hobbies, or simply be understood more easily.
You might be looking for support right after leaving hospital or rehab, or months or years later. You might be looking on behalf of a partner or parent. Either way, we can start with a conversation about what has changed and what matters most.
Communication changes we support
Neurological changes affect communication in different ways, and many people have more than one.
- Aphasia: difficulty with language itself, such as finding words, understanding what others say, reading, or writing
- Dysarthria: slurred, quiet, or unclear speech caused by weakness or poor coordination in the muscles used for speaking
- Apraxia of speech: difficulty planning the mouth movements needed to say words, even though the muscles themselves are not weak. Words may come out differently each time, and longer words are often harder.
- Cognitive-communication changes: difficulty with attention, memory, or organizing thoughts that makes conversations harder to follow or keep on track
An assessment helps sort out which of these are involved, so therapy targets the right thing.
Online and in-person options
Therapy for these conditions can be done well online, and it is available anywhere in British Columbia. Online sessions let you work from home, where many of your everyday conversations happen, and make it easier for a family member to join. They also save the effort of travelling to appointments, which matters when fatigue is part of recovery.
In-person home visits are available in White Rock, Surrey, Langley, and Delta.
Our approach
Goals that matter to you
We start with the situations you want to handle more easily: talking with grandchildren, ordering at a café, making a phone call, joining a meeting, or telling a story at dinner. Therapy is built around those goals rather than generic exercises.
Practice in real conversations
Depending on your needs, sessions may include word-finding strategies, practice with speaking louder or more clearly, understanding longer conversations, reading and writing, or using supports like gestures, writing, pictures, or communication apps. We move from structured practice to the conversations you actually have.
Parkinson’s and progressive conditions
For people living with Parkinson’s disease and related conditions, therapy often focuses on voice loudness, clarity, and keeping communication strong over time. Our clinician is certified in SPEAK OUT!, a program designed for people with Parkinson’s. For progressive conditions, therapy can also include planning ahead, such as setting up communication supports early.
Support for families
Family members are often the main conversation partners. We coach them on ways to support communication at home, such as slowing down, reducing background noise, and giving extra time to respond.
Our clinician
This service is led by Tiffany Santos, a speech-language pathologist with experience in adult neurological rehabilitation. Tiffany has supported adults with aphasia, dysarthria, apraxia of speech, voice changes, and cognitive-communication difficulties after stroke, and people living with Parkinson’s disease, primary progressive aphasia, dementia, and brain tumours.
How to get started
If you or someone you care about has noticed changes in speech or language, contact us to book an assessment. Sessions are available online across BC and in person in White Rock, Surrey, Langley, and Delta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this kind of therapy be done online?
Yes. Online sessions work well for many adults with aphasia, dysarthria, and apraxia of speech. There is no travel, sessions happen in the place where you actually talk every day, and a family member can easily join. If the technology is a barrier, a family member can help set up the first few calls, and we keep the setup simple.
The stroke was a while ago. Is it too late to start?
Not necessarily. Many people keep working on communication goals months or years after a stroke, including after hospital and rehab therapy has ended. An assessment can help you decide whether therapy makes sense now and what to focus on.
Do I need a referral from a doctor?
No. You can contact us directly, though some extended health plans require a physician's referral before they reimburse sessions. If you have reports from a hospital, rehab program, or another speech-language pathologist, it helps to share them so we can build on work that has already been done.
Can family members take part?
Yes, and we encourage it. Family members and caregivers often join sessions to learn strategies that make conversations at home easier for everyone.
Is this covered by extended health insurance?
Many extended health plans cover speech-language pathology, but coverage varies by plan, so check your benefits booklet or provider. We may be able to bill some providers directly, and otherwise provide a detailed receipt after each session for you to submit.