Texting, Emails, and Reading the News: How Therapy Can Help You Stay Connected
Do you struggle to read messages on your phone?
Or maybe typing a simple email takes much longer than it used to?
Perhaps you’ve stopped reading the news because the words just don’t make sense anymore.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.
These problems are very common after a stroke, brain injury, or neurological condition like Parkinson’s or MS.
But here’s the good news:
Speech and language therapy can help you reconnect—with your words, your loved ones, and your world.
Why Is Reading and Writing Suddenly So Hard?
Conditions like stroke, brain tumours, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis can affect how your brain processes language.
This can cause:
Trouble recognising letters or words
Difficulty understanding what you read
Struggles with spelling or typing
Losing your train of thought while writing
Anxiety or embarrassment when texting
These changes can make simple tasks feel impossible—like reading a birthday card, replying to a message, or following the news.
You May Feel Like You’re Losing Touch
Many people say:
“I’ve stopped texting back because it takes too long.”
“I can’t understand what’s in the group chat anymore.”
“I used to love reading the paper—now I just look at the pictures.”
“I feel stupid when I make spelling mistakes.”
It’s not about intelligence.
It’s not because you're “just getting older.”
These changes are linked to how your brain processes language, and it’s something a specialist speech and language therapist can help with.
How Speech and Language Therapy Helps
Therapy is tailored to your needs. It may include:
✅ Rebuilding Reading Skills
Practise recognising words and understanding sentences
Use large print, colour contrast, and simple layouts
Learn strategies to stay focused while reading
✅ Improving Writing and Spelling
Work on common words and sentence building
Use helpful tools like predictive text, speech-to-text, or typing apps
Rebuild confidence to write messages, emails, or cards
✅ Staying Connected Through Tech
Learn how to use your phone or tablet more easily
Set up shortcuts or voice commands
Practise writing and replying to texts or emails in a safe space
✅ Family Support
Therapy often includes loved ones too—so they can:
Understand how to give you more time
Help you practise without pressure
Learn ways to support your progress
“I Just Want to Stay in Touch”
We hear this all the time from people like you.
Maybe you miss:
Texting your grandkids
Reading the news each morning
Emailing friends or booking holidays online
Writing your own shopping list
These aren’t just small tasks.
They’re part of your independence, identity, and connection to others.
You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
Speech and language therapy is about more than just talking.
It’s about helping you stay connected—in ways that matter to you.
Whether you want to:
Read a book again
Text a friend
Write a birthday card
Or follow the news...
We can help.
