Speech and language

Today I had a NHS SALT session and yesterday i had a private SALT session neither was helpful and i’m left perplexed on how to say the bilabial consenants L, M, N, B, P. When asked i attempt smacking my lips together like a fish but can’t make any sound. I find the vowel sounds A, E, I, O, U relatively easy. I know some of you on here like me lost the ability to speak, mine was taken from me when i was fitted with a tracheostomy to aid my breathing but like a toddler surely i can learn to speak? Any helpful hints would be soooo appreciated.

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@Mich-mm Think of the position of your lips for a e i o u an then think of the position for l m n b p. Maybe when you think in your head the difference, you may be able to make the sound. Good luck :revolving_hearts: Keep on Keeping on.

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All I can suggest is practice practice practice. You must remember when your daughter’s were babies, how much babbling that they did, raspberry blowing, screeching and squeaks, blowing out your cheeks, etc etc. That was all part’n’parcel in readiness, in learning to speak. What was their first word​:smiley: And how long was it before their the second, and I don’t even remember when mine spoke their first simple sentence :face_with_diagonal_mouth: How many years of practice did it take them? It’s the same for you but different, that being they were working with a brand spanking new brain, you are working with a broken one.

None of it doesn’t just happen, and it is sounding like you are having to really go back to basics :grimacing: I’ve seen a guy on tiktok who’s at a similar level to you, struggling with the same letters as you. Next time I see him I’ll get the link to his YouTube page for you.

Lorraine

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You’re too smart, so I know I can’t educate you. But lips are number 1, so here’s a reminder to urge you on.!

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Gosh, I’m transported back to my English teaching days, thank you :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes: L is not bilabial, it is alveolar and requires the use of the tongue. However, the rest are bilabial. I have no experience in rehabilitating phonetics after stroke but have you thought of having a mirror in front of you while you practice so your brain can make a visual connection to the desired mouth movement? Also, speaking of mirrors, mirror neurones may possibly be useful by finding clear, articulate talking head videos and watching mouth movements as you practice?

General plosive sounds made when attempting tongue twisters is often good practice but as I mentioned, it’s that added complexity of the brain’s language function getting back into the swing of making sounds using the mouth and face muscles with vocal chords together that makes it a challenge when coming up with techniques to practice.

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Thank you @Rups yes i often video myself trying to make sounds, which is in effect like looking in a mirror, i’m a part of a wonderful group of stroke survivors on whatsapp led by the wonderful @Bobbi and they are very encouraging telling me that I’m indeed speaking.

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