Meet the professionals empowering individuals to overcome the silent challenges of communication loss.
Siti Khairiyah (Khai), a senior speech therapist at the National University Hospital (NUH), dedicates her career to helping individuals regain their ability to communicate, a vital function often lost due to brain injuries, strokes, or other medical conditions.
Among her patients is a young woman struggling with aphasia, a language impairment caused by a brain tumor. Simple social interactions, such as ordering food or participating in conversations, have become daunting obstacles for her. “She rehearses her requests repeatedly, fearing mistakes,” Khai explains, describing the silent isolation that often accompanies communication challenges.
Aphasia, an often invisible condition, can stem from various causes, including accidents, tumors, or dementia. Patients with aphasia frequently face stigma or feel alienated due to their difficulty expressing themselves.
Innovative Solutions to Communication Barriers
Cheryl Tan, a speech therapist at Sengkang General Hospital, employs innovative tools like the E-tran board to assist patients with severe communication impairments. One of her patients, who struggles with movement control due to spinocerebellar ataxia, learned to spell words with her eyes using the board.
“When she spelled ‘rose’ for the first time, tears welled up in her eyes—it was a breakthrough,” Cheryl recalls. Such moments highlight the profound emotional and functional impact of tailored communication aids.
Challenging Yet Rewarding Work
For speech therapists like Khai, Cheryl, and their colleague, Goh Huai Zhi from St Luke’s Hospital, every patient’s journey is unique. “We function like investigators, tailoring our methods to each individual,” Cheryl explains.
Beyond restoring speech, therapists also address cognitive communication impairments. “Simple instructions can become incomprehensible for some patients,” says Huai Zhi, emphasizing the complex interplay between language and cognitive functions.
Building Community and Awareness
Recognizing the need for a supportive community, these therapists helped establish Aphasia SG, a nonprofit organization offering group activities, from facial exercises to casual chit-chat sessions. These gatherings provide a safe space for individuals with aphasia to practice communication skills and foster connections.
“Aphasia SG normalizes awareness, much like how dementia is now widely understood,” says Huai Zhi. By engaging in advocacy and support, the therapists aim to build a society where empathy for aphasia is as common as for other conditions.
A Calling Rooted in Passion
For Khai, the path to speech therapy began during a “quarter-life crisis” that prompted her to leave a corporate career for a more fulfilling role. Now, with over a decade in the field, she considers it one of her most rewarding decisions.
“If you have a genuine interest in connecting with people and making a difference, speech therapy could be your calling,” she says.
As they guide patients through the journey of regaining their voice, these therapists embody the essence of healthcare—compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to improving lives.
