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The Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) will soon have a crucial role in the management of ataxia telangiectasia. Indeed, he is the one who will intervene in the problems of speech and swallowing caused by neurological deterioration in this disease. >

Swallowing


For swallowing, speech therapist's role will revolve around three objectives:


Working with a physiotherapist and a dietitian is desirable.

Around a work of rehabilitation which aim, again, at maintaining skills without trying in vain to correct what is already installed, some simple recipes will allow to get some results. They are detailed in Chapter "Eat" .

Salivation


To avoid the problem of saliva coming out of the mouth, the patient with AT should be reminded to swallow often.
He can also wear sponge bracelets, like those worn by the athletes, to wipe himself.
Finally, drugs exist to control the problems of excessive salivation whose efficacy and tolerability varies.

Speech and langage


We saw in Chapter Speech how language and sometimes understanding disorders can affect communication for patients with AT.

Work on breathing or on mobility and strength of mouth's muscles can sometimes give some improvements, but their long-term outcome is not evaluated in ataxia telangiectasia.

However, learning of adaptation techniques to counteract the first disorders such as dysarthria for example is very useful. This may include:


Keeping in mind that man should not fight against something that is not correctable, risking to generate unnecessary efforts and fatigue, the work of the SLP should be to maintain existing capacity and develop effective communication skills.