Did you know that the brain has the ability to repair itself by building new pathways and connections post brain injury and stroke?
"Neuroplasticity refers to the biological changes that occur in the brain in response to a change in the real world or a new experience...It becomes important when the brain is under threat or stress from diseases like Alzheimer’s or a traumatic brain injury, because that’s when we can apply the principles of neuroplasticity to try and stimulate different parts of the brain to regain some of the functionality that has been lost" (The University of Sydney, 2016).
Speech Pathologists, among other allied health professionals, play an important role in supporting individuals to rebuild these pathways required for speech, language, voice, fluency, cognitive functioning and swallowing. It's so important to remember that whilst many clinicians will tell you that the first 2 years post brain injury is the most important, the brain can continue to recover after this time! (NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, n.d.)
Recovery itself depends on many factors, and it's not a one size fits all! So keep exercising that brain!!!!
References
NSW Government. (n.d.). Brain injury and return to work. Retrieved from Agency for Clinical Innovation: https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/brain-injury-rehabilitation/vip/employer/return-to-work
The University of Sydney. (2016, June 1). Neuroplasticity the science behind rewiring the brain. Retrieved from University of Sydney: News: https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2016/06/01/neuroplasticity--the-science-behind-rewiring-the-brain.html
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