What Is Speech Therapy?
Are you curious about what speech therapy is and if you child would benefit from it? Well you are in the right place! But first let’s discuss speech development, what a speech disorder is, red flags and then we can dive in to what it is.
Speech Development
First, we recommend you checking out our blog post “Speech Development” to learn more about the development of speech skills. If you have any questions with what sounds your child ‘should’ be doing at their age it will be able to help answer “what” is to be expected. Those milestones are a ‘general’ rule of thumb and should be interpreted with caution as all children develop differently!
What Is A Speech Disorder?
Now let’s dive in! Speech sound disorders (SSDs) are characterized by errors in producing sounds of a language whether that be difficulties with perception, motor production, and/or phonological representation of speech sounds and segments that impact speech intelligibility. Speech sound disorders (SSDs) are widely spread in preschool and school age children
Causes
In most cases, the cause is unknown. Factors Influencing Typical Acquisition
Family history
Pre and Perinatal problems
Gender - girls typically acquire speech earlier than boys and research has shown that boys make significantly more speech sound errors
Hearing Difficulties and Frequent Otitis Media (ear infections)
Language development and intelligence is correlated to speech developing in the early stages of development
Individual variability
Structural Variabilities (lips, teeth, tongue, palate) which may impact speech production
Oral sensory function plays a role in development and monitoring of speech sound production
General Motor Abilities
Genetic Disorders - Down syndrome, fragile x syndrome, macroglossia, hearing loss
Neuromotor Disorders - Apraxia (refer to Apraxia page) an/or Dysarthria
Red Flags/Signs + Symptoms:
If your child demonstrates any of these signs and symptoms you may want to consider receiving a speech evaluation to see if they would benefit from therapy!
Decreased intelligibility
Omissions/deletions— when certain sounds are omitted or deleted (e.g., "do" for "dog" and "pane" for "plane")
Substitutions—one or more sounds are substituted (e.g., "ping" for "sing" and "wibbon" for "ribbon")
Additions—one or more extra sounds are added or inserted into a word (e.g., "buhlack" for "black")
Distortions—sounds are altered or changed (e.g., a lateral lisp of "s" and/or “z”)
Syllable-level errors—weak syllables are deleted (e.g., "nana" for "banana")
Why Do We Treat?
When intelligibility is impacted it creates an issue with being able to connect with others through communication and to make ourselves understood. It is also noted that a normal sound system is important to learning to read and spell. Treatment is necessary to remediate sound errors and provide a functional means of communication to set our children up for success.
What is Feeding Therapy?
Speech therapy, also known as speech-language therapy, is a specialized field of healthcare that focuses on diagnosing and treating communication disorders and speech-related difficulties. Speech therapists, also called speech-language pathologists, work with individuals of all ages, from infants to the elderly, who may have trouble with speech, language, voice, fluency, or swallowing.
The goals of speech therapy vary depending on the individual's needs and the providers specialities but generally include:
Improving speech clarity and articulation: This involves helping individuals produce sounds correctly and improving their ability to form words and sentences clearly.
Enhancing language skills: Speech therapists work on improving vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and expressive language skills.
Addressing fluency disorders: Speech therapists help individuals who stutter or have other fluency disorders to speak more smoothly and fluently.
Treating voice disorders: Speech therapy can help individuals with voice disorders, such as hoarseness or vocal nodules, to develop healthier vocal habits and improve vocal quality.
Providing strategies for communication: For individuals with communication difficulties due to conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or traumatic brain injury, speech therapy focuses on developing alternative communication methods, such as sign language or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
Rehabilitating swallowing disorders: Speech therapists work with individuals who have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) to improve swallowing function and prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Speech therapy sessions may involve various techniques, exercises, and activities tailored to the individual's specific needs and goals. These sessions can take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and private practices. Additionally, speech therapists often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, educators, and family members to provide comprehensive care and support for their clients.
So What Does Speech Therapy Look Like? (It differs depending on your child’s age)
Speech therapy can take various forms depending on the specific needs and goals of the individual receiving treatment. Here's an overview of what speech therapy might look like:
Assessment and Evaluation: The first step in speech therapy is typically an assessment by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to identify the individual's strengths, weaknesses, and communication goals. The SLP will conduct various tests and observations to assess speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing abilities.
Goal Setting: Based on the assessment findings, the SLP will develop personalized treatment goals in collaboration with the individual and their caregivers. These goals may target specific areas such as improving speech clarity, expanding vocabulary, or enhancing swallowing function.
Therapeutic Techniques and Activities: Speech therapy sessions may involve a variety of therapeutic techniques and activities tailored to address the individual's needs. These may include:
Articulation exercises: Practicing specific speech sounds to improve clarity and articulation.
Mastering a sound by itself, in syllables, within words, within sentences, when reading them, and then when talking and using them appropriately within conversation
Language activities: Engaging in activities to expand vocabulary, improve grammar, enhance comprehension, and develop expressive language skills.
Voice exercises: Performing exercises to improve vocal quality, resonance, and pitch control.
Fluency techniques: Learning strategies to reduce stuttering or other fluency disruptions.
Swallowing exercises: Participating in exercises to strengthen swallowing muscles and improve swallowing function.
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) training: Learning to use communication devices, symbols, or gestures to supplement or replace speech.
Role-playing and social skills training: Practicing communication and social interaction in various settings.
Home Practice: In many cases, individuals will be given homework assignments or activities to practice between therapy sessions. Consistent practice outside of therapy can help reinforce skills and accelerate progress.
Progress Monitoring: Throughout the course of therapy, the SLP will regularly assess the individual's progress towards their goals and make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.
Collaboration and Support: Speech therapy often involves collaboration with other professionals, such as educators, physicians, psychologists, and occupational therapists, to provide comprehensive care and support. Family members and caregivers may also be involved in therapy sessions to learn strategies for supporting the individual's communication development.
Overall, speech therapy is highly individualized and aims to address the unique communication needs and challenges of each person receiving treatment. Sessions are typically conducted in a supportive and engaging environment to facilitate learning and progress.
So There You Have It!
Please let us know if you have any questions.
If you would like to set up a free consultation, an evaluation or mentoring you can connect with us here!
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American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (n.d.) Speech Sound Disorders: Articulation and Phonology. (Practice Portal). Retrieved March, 24, 2022, from www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Articulation-and-Phonology/.
Bernthal, J.E., Bankson, N.W., & Flipsen Jr, P. (2017). Articulation and Phonological Disorders Speech Sound Disorders in Children. New Jersey: Pearson Education
Williams, A.L., Mcleod, S., & McCauley, R.J. (2010) Interventions for Speech Sound Disorders in Children. Maryland : Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
