People living with frontotemporal disorders (FTD), sometimes called frontotemporal dementia, can have a range of symptoms, including unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, and difficulty walking. There is no cure for FTD and no way to slow it down or prevent it. However, there are ways to help manage symptoms. Consider these strategies to help manage FTD:
- Understand behavior changes in FTD. Try to recognize it’s the illness “talking” and accept rather than challenge people with behavioral symptoms. Arguing or reasoning with the person will not help; they cannot control their behaviors or even see that they are upsetting to others.
- Help with language issues in FTD. Speak slowly and clearly, use simple sentences, wait for responses, and ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. Gesturing, drawing, and using labeled photos of people and objects may allow you to communicate without talking. A speech-language pathologist can determine the best tools and strategies for a particular person.
Learn more strategies to help manage frontotemporal disorders.
