Speech and language therapy is the process of enabling people to communicate to the best of their ability. It is the assessment and treatment of communication problems and speech disorders performed by speech-language pathologists, commonly known as speech and language therapists.
Speech and language therapists assess the nature of the child’s problem. Then, the treatment, advice and support are decided upon. Therapists work closely with the child, their family and members of other related professions like doctors, physiotherapists and teachers. The focus of a therapist is to improve a child’s speech and work on the abilities to comprehend and express language, including nonverbal language.
The techniques therapists employ to improve communication include articulation therapy, language intervention activities, and other activities based on the type of speech or language disorder.
There are two components of the therapy
With early intervention, speech-language therapy can improve communication and boost self-confidence. Therapy might be restricted to individuals or a small peer group with similar communication challenges. The goal of the therapist in both cases is to develop friendships, make language fun and help students succeed at school using engagement and motivation.
Treating the nonverbal child requires alternative communication methods. Therapists also use pictures and simple sign language to enable them to communicate their needs. Fun methods are using toys and whistles and ‘blow the cotton ball’ relay races to strengthen muscles for speech. Using crazy straws, a musical toothbrush and blowing bubbles are other options.
The exercises therapists commonly use involve problem solving, memory, and organization, and other activities targeted at improving cognitive communication. Conversational tactics are employed to improve social communication, breathing exercises are done for resonance and there are exercises to strengthen oral muscles.
Most therapists give you homework exercises at home as a parent’s involvement in therapy is of equal importance. There are many resources available for home therapy. Language development games and toys, such as workbooks, flip cards and flash cards are helpful.
A language disability majorly affects a child’s ability to write. Children struggle to read and express themselves in written work. To write, children must be able to translate their ideas into words and organize these words into sentences. A child with a language challenge finds it difficult to understand and follow directions. The job of the therapist is to build these skills.
While some children may possess excellent pronunciation skills and qualify as early readers, they might need speech therapy to enhance ‘pragmatic’ language. This means the process of using verbal and body language suitably in social situations where children need to have conversations, make requests or make new friends. Another reason for speech therapy involves a medical condition like an infection or brain injury that has affected communication abilities. Disabilities like Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, non-verbal learning disability, speech language impairment, ADHD also become social learning challenges.
Speech and language therapy attempts to treat the following disorders.
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Some frequently asked questions have been answered below for you!
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Kids need speech-language therapy for reasons like hearing impairments, cognitive or other developmental delays, or having weak oral muscles.
If a disorder is mild to moderate, with the child attending treatment consistently and families practicing homework, the duration of treatment could range from 4 to 5 months.
Your child needs speech therapy if
Einstein syndrome is a condition where a child experiences late onset of language, or a late language emergence, but demonstrates giftedness in other areas of analytical thinking. A child with Einstein syndrome eventually speaks with no issues, but remains ahead in other areas.