We’re a little late, but we really wanted to talk about MND (Motor Neurone Disease) as the 21st of July 2023 was Global Motor Neurone Disease Awareness Day.
Many people in the UK have heard of MND because of Rob Burrow, a top rugby league player, who has MND. He and his wife, Lindsey Burrow, have done so much in bringing awareness to MND in their brave fight against it. Speech and language therapists are also very much involved in this fight too. MND is a degenerative condition that impacts people’s speech and swallowing. It often leads to people being unable to speak verbally or swallow any food or drink safely.
Here are some of ways speech and language therapists may be involved with people with MND:
- Working on strategies to maximise clear speech due to dysarthria
- Helping people to “bank” their voice for the future, so it can be used as the voice on any electronic communication aids if their speech deteriorates
- Implementing AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication Aids), which can include anything from low tech paper alphabet charts to high tech eye gaze devices, like Rob Burrow uses
- Assessing swallowing (dysphagia) and giving advice on safer swallowing strategies and modifying diet and fluids
- Working with the wider team around the person, especially when it comes time to discuss feeding tubes and how best to communicate with the person with MND
- Supporting with saliva management issues
If you or your loved one needs support with their speech or swallowing due to MND then please do contact us here.
If you would like more general advice, the MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association) is a truly fantastic organisation – you can find them here. They have further information on speech and swallowing here. Donations are always extremely welcome too – donate to the cause here.
