Changes in a person’s communication skills can result from a TBI. These changes vary from person to person and depend on the severity and location of the brain injury.
Factors that play a role in communication problems include:
- Behavior
- Memory, attention, and other thinking skills
- Judgment
- Social skills
- Self-awareness
Communication skills are very important in everyday life. The service member or veteran may not be able to use words to express themselves well, which may be very frustrating. Many people with TBI speak well in non-stressful situations, but they may not be able to use these speaking skills during a stressful or complex situation at school, work, home, or in the community.
Language problems can lead to miscommunication and confusion. This may make it harder than it used to be to make new business and/or casual friends and maintain old relationships. Most people with a TBI make notable progress in communication over time.
A speech-language pathologist (SLP) is the team member who treats communication problems and can assist the service member or veteran with training to:
- Understand and remember what is being said
- Express needs, wants, and ideas clearly to others