Speech therapy is for children. That is a persistent misconception \u2014 and a false one. Tens of thousands of adults see a speech therapist every year for a wide variety of reasons: stuttering, dyslexia diagnosed late, the after-effects of a stroke, voice disorders related to their job, or cognitive-communication difficulties that have appeared with age or a neurological condition.<\/p>\n
There is no age limit for seeing a speech therapist. And for many adults, speech therapy is a real revelation \u2014 sometimes a relief after years of difficulties no one understood.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Around 600,000 people are affected by stuttering in France. Many have stuttered since childhood without ever receiving support \u2014 out of shame, resignation, or because they were told it would go away on its own. Others start stuttering in adulthood, after a traumatic event, intense stress, or following a stroke or head injury (neurogenic stuttering).<\/p>\n There is no treatment that “cures” stuttering, but speech therapy can bring significant improvements at any age. It works on speech fluency, breathing techniques, managing the stress associated with speaking, and social communication strategies.<\/p>\n A speech therapy assessment is essential before starting any therapy: it evaluates the severity of the stutter, its functional impact on daily and professional life, and determines the most suitable treatment protocol.<\/em><\/p>\n Good news for adults who stutter:<\/p>\n Book an adult speech therapy assessment<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Stuttering \u00b7 Adult dyslexia \u00b7 Stroke \u00b7 Voice disorders \u00b7 Appointment available within a few days \u00b7 From home<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Many adults have gone through their entire schooling without dyslexia ever being formally diagnosed. Either the difficulties were mild and masked by compensation strategies \u2014 learning by heart rather than reading, relying on speaking rather than writing \u2014 or screening tools were not yet as developed as they are today.<\/p>\n These adults may experience:<\/p>\n A diagnosis of dyslexia at 25, 35 or 45 can transform the way a person sees themselves. Many describe a deep sense of relief: they finally understand why certain tasks take so much effort. And above all, a diagnosis opens the door to adjustments \u2014 in higher education, in certain professional contexts, and in competitive exams or exams.<\/em><\/p>\n When should an adult have an assessment for suspected dyslexia? At any time, as soon as you experience a functional difficulty related to reading or writing in your professional or personal life. It is never too late.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is one of the most urgent reasons for an adult speech therapy assessment. After a stroke, a head injury, brain surgery or in the context of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, early-stage Alzheimer’s), language and communication functions can be affected suddenly or gradually.<\/p>\n Aphasia (partial or total loss of language), dysarthria (articulation disorders) and dysphagia (swallowing disorders) are the most common after-effects. The speech therapy assessment should be carried out as soon as possible<\/a> after the event \u2014 ideally within the first few weeks \u2014 because brain plasticity is at its highest during this period and therapy has its greatest impact.<\/p>\n \u26a0\ufe0f In these situations, teleconsultation can make it possible to start treatment without waiting \u2014 particularly when the patient has reduced mobility or when no speech therapist is quickly available where they live.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Parkinson’s disease can affect the voice (dysphonia, hypophonia) and articulation. Multiple sclerosis can lead to cognitive-communication difficulties. In these cases, speech therapy is long-term support aimed at maintaining communication abilities for as long as possible and adapting strategies as the disease progresses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Voice professionals \u2014 teachers, lawyers, actors, salespeople, singers, call centre staff \u2014 are particularly exposed to voice disorders. Dysphonia (an altered voice), vocal fatigue, repeated loss of voice or vocal cord nodules are direct reasons for a speech therapy assessment.<\/p>\n The speech therapist assesses voice quality, voicing habits and associated muscle tension. Therapy aims to optimise voice production, save the voice and prevent relapses. Follow-up of voice disorders is entirely possible by teleconsultation \u2014 the speech therapist can analyse the voice via the microphone and guide the exercises remotely.<\/p>\n You can consult for voice disorders if you have:<\/p>\n Book an adult speech therapy assessment<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Stuttering \u00b7 Adult dyslexia \u00b7 Stroke \u00b7 Voice disorders \u00b7 Appointment available within a few days \u00b7 From home<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Speech therapists can also support adults who have no identified neurological condition but experience mild cognitive difficulties affecting their communication:<\/p>\n In all these cases, an assessment makes it possible to determine whether these difficulties are due to a specific disorder to be treated, normal ageing to be supported, or anxiety for which other professionals would be more appropriate.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The adult assessment follows the same main steps as a paediatric assessment, adapted to the person’s profile:<\/p>\n By teleconsultation, the adult assessment takes place in exactly the same way, from your home or office. The tests are presented via the video-conference interface, and the exchange with the speech therapist is identical to an office consultation.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n An assessment carried out by a speech therapist contracted with French national health insurance (Assurance Maladie) is covered at 60% on presentation of a medical prescription. The rest can be covered by your supplementary health insurer (mutuelle). For an online assessment at ORA-VISIO, your insurance may reimburse part of it, depending on your country and your health cover: a detailed invoice is provided.<\/p>\nCase 1 \u2014 Stuttering: it is never too late for support<\/h2>\n
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Case 2 \u2014 Adult dyslexia<\/a>: late diagnoses change lives<\/h2>\n
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Case 3 \u2014 Neurological after-effects: stroke, head injury, progressive diseases<\/h2>\n
Disorders after a stroke or head injury<\/h3>\n
Neurodegenerative diseases<\/h3>\n
Case 4 \u2014 Voice disorders: an often overlooked reason to consult<\/h2>\n
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Case 5 \u2014 Cognitive-communication difficulties related to ageing or anxiety<\/h2>\n
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How does an adult speech therapy assessment<\/a> work?<\/h2>\n
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FAQ \u2014 Adult speech therapy assessment<\/h2>\n
Is an adult speech therapy assessment reimbursed?<\/h3>\n
Is there a waiting list for adults?<\/h3>\n