Which therapy is typically needed due to language impairment after a left-hemisphere stroke?

• A. Physical therapy
• B. Occupational therapy
• C. Respiratory therapy
• D. Speech therapy

Answer: (D)

Language impairment after a left-hemisphere stroke occurs because the left side typically houses the brain’s language centers, so damage there often leads to aphasia—trouble speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. The therapy designed to address these communication problems is speech therapy, provided by a speech-language pathologist. It focuses on improving expressive language (how to say words and form sentences), receptive language (understanding language), naming, and functional communication strategies, and can include reading, writing, and even alternative communication methods if needed. Sometimes swallowing difficulties accompany language problems, and speech-language pathologists also address those when present. The other therapies target motor function (physical therapy), daily living skills and hand use (occupational therapy), or breathing and airway management (respiratory therapy), not language impairment. So the best fit for language impairment is speech therapy.