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Warning-sign checks

Speech and communication disorders: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services immediately for sudden trouble speaking or understanding speech, especially with facial drooping, arm weakness, vision loss, or severe dizziness.

    These can be signs of a stroke.

    Emergency care is also needed for serious breathing difficulty or choking that does not clear.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    A loss of skills that had already developed should be assessed promptly.

    Seek prompt medical help after a head injury or when speech problems appear with new weakness, confusion, severe headache, balance problems, or swallowing difficulty.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine assessment if a child is not developing speech or language as expected, loses interest in communicating, is frequently difficult to understand, or struggles to understand everyday language.

The article also says

Adults should seek assessment for persistent changes in speech, language, voice, or communication.

A hoarse or altered voice that does not settle also needs medical review, especially if it is accompanied by pain, a neck lump, or difficulty swallowing.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Speech and communication disorders. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.