What is speech therapy and why is it important?
Updated: Nov 19, 2021
What is Speech therapy?
Speech and Language therapy, commonly known as speech therapy is the treatment/ intervention method for individuals who have difficulty with speech, language, communication, or swallowing. Speech therapy aims to strengthen and improve a child’s speech and language skills focusing on both verbal and nonverbal communication. It encourages the right use of the voice as well as the usage of muscles to get the desired sounds. It improves one's understanding of language as well as one's ability to express oneself.
Speech comprises how we coordinate and move our oral structures to say something. It is a verbal mode of communication. The subsystems of speech are: Voice, Fluency, Articulation, etc
Language is a set of codes, rules, and symbols that are used to communicate thoughts. The subsystems of language are Phonology (the study of sounds), Morphology (the study of forms of words), Syntax/ Grammar, Semantics (the study of meaning in language), Pragmatics (Social use of language).
Communication is the exchange of information, thoughts, and emotions. This can be verbal or nonverbal. Nonverbal communication includes written language, sign language, body language, gestures, Alternative and Augmentative Communication, etc
Who needs Speech therapy?
Speech, language, communication difficulties include:
Not being able to communicate needs, thoughts, and emotions.
Difficulty understanding what is being.
Trouble understanding social rules of language and communication.
Poor nonverbal/ verbal communication.
Reduced clarity and/or fluency of speech.
The above-mentioned difficulties may exist independently or with the presence of developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum disorder, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or learning disabilities or genetic conditions such as Downs syndrome. Anyone who faces such difficulties would benefit from Speech therapy.
Some focus areas of Speech therapy are:
Communication skills (understanding and expression)
Functional communication
Language impairments
Reading and Writing difficulties
Auditory processing and comprehension
AAC (Non-verbal communication)
Cognitive, emotional, and social skills
Pronunciation/ Clarity of speech
Stuttering/ Fluency of speech
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What does a Speech therapist do?
A speech therapist is a trained professional who carries out assessments across various subsystems of speech and language and customizes a treatment plan based on the results of the assessment. The assessments mainly focus on understanding receptive and expressive language abilities, vocabulary, and articulation. In the presence of associated conditions, areas like oral motor weakness, praxis, feeding, swallowing, fluency, auditory processing, etc are assessed.
Typically a Speech therapist would:
Make observations and carry assessments to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the child. (The assessments will provide a clear understanding about the communication difficulties faced by the child and the cause for the same)
A comprehensive breakdown of the assessment results to the parent and help them understand the child’s condition and way forward
Form Individualised Therapy Plan based on the child’s requirements
Discussion of Therapy Plan with parents
Provide home therapy plans and knowledge on language stimulation techniques to parents
Regular progress discussion with parents
If you want to know more about Speech Therapy in JP Nagar, read this.
What happens in a speech therapy session?
Speech therapy sessions can be personalized 1 on 1 session or Group therapy sessions. Speech therapists use evidence-based therapy techniques in their practice to maximize the efficiency of therapy and bring about progress.
There is no one true definition of what happens in a speech therapy session. The structure of a therapy session is based on the age of the child, type of speech, and language challenges. The therapist forms individualized treatment plans, setting goals based on the needs of the child. Appropriate learning activities are selected and specific techniques are incorporated to achieve each of these goals. Speech and language stimulation is done using books, everyday toys, pictures, puzzles, etc in an interactive and fun way. The idea is to create an exciting and optimal learning environment for the child.
Every therapist believes in the involvement of the parent or caregiver to bring significant progress in the child. Parents are often suggested to observe speech therapy sessions to learn the use of language stimulation techniques and carry forward the practice at home. Parents are regularly updated about the strategies, goals, and progress.
We have a blog about the effectiveness of online speech therapy. Read it here.
How many speech therapy sessions are required?
The number of therapy sessions required to obtain significant progress depends on various factors like:
Type and severity of the speech and language difficulty
Associated conditions
Regular therapy attendance
Parent/ Caregiver’s involvement
Competence of the therapist
It is essential to understand these factors and be patient as the process may be lengthy. Each child is different and improvements happen at their own pace.
Why is speech therapy important?
Being able to communicate and express your needs is truly a liberating feeling that no one should be deprived of. Children with disabilities often face difficulties with communicating their thoughts and feelings, this causes frustration and may lead to outbursts by means of behavior. Children with language delays must be given intervention at an early age to overcome the delay.
It is important to teach children how to communicate and provide them a means to express themselves.
The joy of communication is for all, be it verbal or non-verbal. The aim is to help your child communicate effectively and effortlessly :)
That is all for today's blog! We hope you liked it found it useful to some extend.
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