Diagnosis and Treatment
Speech Samples
“Let’s go out to the kitchen where the men are.”
Before Onset
After Onset
“So we can’t get any pictures of her.”
Before Onset
After Onset
“Stayed out all night.”
Before Onset
After Onset
“We sent them back to chaperone.”
Before Onset
After Onset
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically made by a qualified speech-language pathologist, often in consultation with specialists that may include:
- Neurologist
- Radiologist
- Neuropsychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
Speech-Language Pathology
When working with a speech-language pathologist, the first step is a thorough assessment. This includes a full case history to gather information about exposure to foreign language, education, medical history, and family history. Also important is an examination of oral structures and standardized tests of language and speech intelligibility. Samples of conversational speech and oral reading are used for in-depth analysis of individual speech patterns.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the causes of the FAS (neurogenic, functional, or both) as well as factors relating to individual patient issues. For many patients, sustained therapy with clinicians can result in dramatic and lasting improvement.
To date, intensive therapy with a speech-language pathology guided team appears most beneficial. In addition, experimental studies targeting other treatment possibilities (such as brain-based remediation) are ongoing.