Have you ever wondered what language and speech therapy is? Or whether it could help you or someone you know? This post will explore the basics of language and speech therapy, as well as its potential benefits. Keep reading to learn more!
What is Language and Speech Therapy?
Speech and language therapy are interventions for the management and treatment of voice, language, speech, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. The intervention program is carried out by experts in their respective fields. Language therapy programs can be created for language problems such as delayed language and speech, aphasia, brain damage.
Articulation/pronunciation phonological disorder therapy programs can be created that include intervention in speech sounds for the inability to make some sounds, correct production and acquisition of speech sounds. Intervention programs for rapid distorted speech and stuttering can be applied regarding the fluency of speech.
In the intervention of formations that cause hoarseness such as polyps and nodules, therapy programs can be created for various vocal problems. This includes the implementation of therapy programs for differential nutritional problems and situations and swallowing difficulties.
Is it possible to cure stuttering with speech therapy?
Stuttering can be difficult to cure because it doesn’t have a distinct cause. There are many possible causes of stuttering though, so if you know what your triggers are, you’ll be more likely to find the right kind of treatment.
If you know what brings on your stuttering, try some prevention strategies before entering formal therapy so that it’s less likely the speech therapist will have to go over those exact points again. Seeing an expert in person might help if there is a specific area where the therapist can offer relief or identify potential new problems early on before they worsen and prove more challenging to manage.
Situations that require speech and language therapy are articulation disorder, i.e. inability to say or misrepresent certain sounds, voice problems such as hoarseness and cracking when speaking, delayed speech (for example, a child who is three years old does not speak or speaks in very short sentences), stuttering and rapid distorted speech, aphasia, dysarthria. Language and speech disorders can be caused by traumatic brain damage such as cerebral hemorrhage and accidents.
Also, swallowing-swallowing problems, Down syndrome, language and speech disorders caused by autism, language and speech problems due to anomalies such as cleft lip and palate, language and speech due to hearing impairment can be summarized as disorders. Therapy includes the detailed diagnosis of these situations, the establishment of the intervention process and the effective execution.
How Does Language and Speech Therapy Work?
When you think of speech therapy, what comes to mind? Probably pictures of kids working with a therapist to correct pronunciation or articulation issues. Speech therapy is so much more than that, however! It can help children and adults with a variety of communication disorders. Speech Therapy focuses on all aspects of the communication process, from the production of speech sounds to their reception by others.
Speech therapists are trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat language difficulties in children through adults. Many times this will be an effort to improve the person’s speech patterns with articulation problems or voice disorders, but it may also include issues with self-esteem or social skills that are impacted by speaking concerns. These professionals can provide written resources for home use as well as one-on-one intervention sessions involving various techniques such as modeling fluent talking, analyzing background noise interference and prepositional phrases. The underlying goal is not just about helping that individual speak better but rather improving their overall quality of life through acquiring a richer mode of speech.
Last Updated on December 4, 2021 by Lucas Berg
