How to tell if speech is improving after a stroke

Recovery from aphasia is often slow enough that families cannot tell whether anything is changing. Here is what to expect, and simple ways to see progress more clearly.

By Frederick F. Weiner, Ph.D., speech-language pathologist. Former Professor in Charge of Speech Pathology, The Pennsylvania State University. Last reviewed November 5, 2026.

How recovery usually unfolds

The fastest change usually happens in the first few months after a stroke, as the brain recovers from the initial injury. After that, improvement tends to slow down, but it does not stop. Many people keep making gains for years, particularly when they keep practicing.

Every stroke is different. How much someone recovers depends on the size and location of the stroke, their overall health, the type of aphasia, and how much practice they get. Comparing your family member with someone else is rarely helpful. Comparing them with themselves a few months ago is.

What to track at home

Day-to-day changes are hard to see, and good and bad days are normal. The trick is to compare like with like over weeks, not days.

  • Make a short recording every few weeks. Use a phone to record the same tasks each time: describing the same photo, explaining how to make a sandwich, and talking for a minute about the day. Listen to old and new recordings side by side.
  • Keep a simple log. Once a week, jot down new words or phrases, longer sentences, conversations that went more easily, or things they can now do on their own, like answering the phone.
  • Keep practice scores. If your family member uses exercises or software, note the scores on the same task at the same level over time.
  • Notice everyday function. Ordering at a restaurant, joining a family conversation, or making a phone call are often more meaningful signs of progress than any test.

How speech-language pathologists measure it

A speech-language pathologist uses standardized assessments, such as the Western Aphasia Battery or the Boston Naming Test, to measure skills like naming, understanding, repeating and reading. They also listen to samples of everyday speech. Repeating the same assessment after a period of therapy is the most reliable way to measure change. If you want to know how your family member is doing, ask the therapist to explain the results and how they compare with the last assessment.

When progress seems to stop

Most people hit stretches where nothing seems to change. A plateau is not proof that recovery is over. Progress in aphasia often comes in steps, and a long flat stretch can mean the practice needs to change.

  • Make the tasks harder if most answers are right and quick.
  • Try a different kind of practice, such as conversation instead of naming.
  • Increase practice time, a little at a time.
  • Ask the speech-language pathologist to review the goals.

How much practice is enough covers what the research says about practice time.

A report on everyday speech

Parrot Software includes a speech analysis that looks at connected speech, the kind of everyday talking that single-word exercises do not measure. Your family member speaks for a few minutes: reading a sentence, answering a few questions, explaining how to make a sandwich, and describing a picture. Parrot records and analyzes it and writes a report.

  • A plain-language summary of how speech is doing.
  • Measures such as word-finding pauses, words between pauses, speech rhythm, complete sentences and vocabulary variety, each compared with typical ranges.
  • Because the tasks are the same each time, it can be repeated later to see change.

It is an automated description of a speech sample to guide clinical judgment, not a diagnosis, and it does not replace an assessment by a speech-language pathologist.

The speech analysis is included with every Parrot Software subscription. The first week is free, with no credit card.

See a sample report

Made from a demonstration recording, not a patient.

Common questions

How long does aphasia keep improving after a stroke?
The fastest change usually happens in the first few months. Improvement often continues more slowly after that, and many people keep making gains for years, especially with regular practice. There is no fixed point after which progress stops.
How can I tell if speech is improving when the changes are so small?
Day-to-day changes are hard to see. Compare like with like over longer periods: record the same short task, such as describing the same picture, every few weeks, and listen to the recordings side by side. A simple log of new words, longer sentences or easier conversations also helps.
What does a plateau mean?
A plateau is a stretch with little visible change. It does not mean recovery is over. Progress in aphasia often comes in steps, and a plateau can be a sign that practice needs to change: a different task, a harder level, or more practice time. Ask the speech-language pathologist to review the goals.
What tests do speech-language pathologists use?
Speech-language pathologists use standardized assessments such as the Western Aphasia Battery or the Boston Naming Test, along with samples of everyday speech. Repeating the same assessment after a period of therapy is the most reliable way to measure change.
Can software tell whether speech is improving?
Software can describe a speech sample consistently, which makes it useful for comparing recordings over time. Parrot Software's speech analysis reports measures such as word-finding pauses and complete sentences against typical ranges. It is an automated description to guide clinical judgment, not a diagnosis, and it does not replace an assessment by a speech-language pathologist.