The prevalence of various speech disorders has reached an ultimate high, with around 3 million Americans having a stutter. The prevalence of speech therapy ensures that speech disorders are treated and controlled.
Speech disorders emanate from difficulties coming from problems in child developmental problems which start from an early age. Speech disorders begin with changes in pronunciation, spoken and written language, and reading challenges. Speech-language pathologists specialize in identifying the speech-language and problem that the child has and finding ways to determine the best treatment cause.
Speech therapy assists children in communication skills and pronunciation which is usually one of the core language development techniques. Some everyday speech therapy problems include:
- Dyslexia
This is a speech disorder that affects reading, spelling, and phonological skills. People with this disorder struggle to find speech sounds as the brain cannot process language and decode words or letters.
- Social communication
Children and adults struggling with speech disorders often have problems communicating in social settings. This makes them shy away from using inappropriate language and communicate by making others understand what they are saying.
- Expressive language
Speech disorders affect expressive language when one expresses themselves to others and communicates what they feel and need.
- Receptive language
This is when language is understood and prompts action or response. Unfortunately, individuals with speech disorders are rarely receptive to language and often find it difficult to illicit or convey response.
Speech therapy is also best started in one’s early life trajectory. Children enrolled in speech therapy in their early life tend to have success rates in speech.
The process of speech therapy
Finding the right speech-language pathologist is essential when seeking to get therapy. The right SLP will create an adequate treatment plan that is customized according to individual needs and requirements.
Suitable SLPs can be found through online search engines and referrals from friends and family. Referrals give you the chance to analyze the SLP’s qualification and way of practice by reviewing their mode and way of treatment from their previous patients.
After getting a suitable SLP, it is best to book an appointment to ensure that the SLP is available on the exact day of consultation. Parents taking their children should choose a day when they are receptive and in good moods for treatment. Overall, this affects the child’s probability of responding to the SLP and makes them wise of the various tests they will undergo.
It is advisable to get the child to take audio hearing tests before the consultation with the SLP for the specialist to have a clear picture of the extent of damage or lack of. In addition, audio and hearing tests are required to check for difficulties as a prerequisite for speech therapy training. A clear medical history is also vital to enable the SLP to review historical records of the patient’s trajectory. This helps them make informed and careful decisions about the mode of treatment.
After the assessment, the SLP will structure customized treatment plans for the patient and start the training as soon as possible.
Speech therapy techniques
Speech therapy can be done in groups or one on one sessions. These sessions require several sessions, which span from weeks to months to years, to ensure that the patient’s techniques are gradually understood and practiced. The patient also practices well in the presence of the SLP and the caregivers in more advanced stages.
The use of visual, audio, and tactile aids are essential, and these are employed depending on the speech disorder and age of the patient.
There are common types of speech therapy techniques that aim to treat different speech disorders:
- Stuttering
Stuttering is a speech disorder that influences the ability of the child to communicate in a steady flow of words. SLPs help treats this disorder by helping the patient control their words and slow down their speech rate. This helps them form words slowly and articulate them at a slower rate enabling them to talk fluently. The SLP will also assist the patient in monitoring their breathing. This is exceptionally vital in communication. Treatment for stuttering requires frequent sessions to establish a permanent stance in the patient.
- Difficulty in swallowing
This is a common occurrence in speech therapy, as it hinders the patient from articulating words and sentences. The SLP will help the patient through mouth exercises that assist in oral and motor skills such as swallowing, chewing, and mouth movement. These exercises will, in turn, aid chewing, tongue in cheek movement. In infants, the SLP will help control breathing and the rate of swallowing. Different techniques are used in regards to the age of the patient.
- Late talkers
Some children face challenges when talking and develop faster than others when it comes to talking and communication. This requires an SLP to develop behavioural and structural techniques that will prompt the child to talk. For instance, introducing pictorial or sign language cards may help induce the child into talking. Another technique is withholding play items to prompt the child to utter words and sentences. Different techniques are employed depending on the child’s personality and age.
- Apraxia
Children with apraxia struggle with uttering syllables and uttering sounds. The child is often frustrated as they want to say something, but they cannot. The SLP will conduct a speech assessment test to evaluate the child’s ability to spell out sounds, syllables, and connotations. This test will also assess coherence and how the child understands speech. The SLP will also take not consideration the pitch and pauses of the child’s speech. This will help determine the correct syllables and sounds to use when communicating.
Employing the right approach during speech therapy is paramount in ensuring the overall success of the treatment. Parents and caregivers should listen and be attentive to what the child is trying to say and make them comfortable articulating language no matter how difficult it is.
Focusing on their core strengths will also make them more receptive to treatment. Lastly, the practice goes a long way in ensuring the treatment sticks and is used frequently.
