The identification and treatment of communication difficulties and speech disorders is known as speech therapy. Speech therapy is performed by Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), also known as speech therapists. The speech therapist is the professional responsible for the prevention, evaluation, intervention, and scientific study of human communication disorders, encompassing not only all the functions associated with the understanding and expression of oral and written language but also other forms of non-verbal communication. The speech therapist also intervenes at the level of swallowing (safe passage of food and drinks through the oropharynx in order to ensure adequate nutrition). The Speech Therapist assesses and intervenes in individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with the general objective of optimizing the individual’s communication and/or swallowing capacities, thus improving their quality of life.
Why do you need speech therapy?
Speech therapy can be used to treat a variety of speech and language disabilities.
Fluency Disorder. The flow, tempo, and rhythm of speech are all affected by a fluency disorder. Fluency disorders include stuttering and cluttering. An individual who stutters has difficulty making a sound, and their speech may be blocked or interrupted, or they may repeat parts of a phrase. Cluttering individuals tend to talk quickly and mash words together.
Articulation Disorders: The inability to properly construct some word sounds is known as an articulation disorder. This speech impairment causes a child to drop, swap, distort or add word sounds. Saying “thith” instead of “this” is an example of word distortion.
Expressive disorders: Expressive disorders are a type of mental illness. The inability to communicate or articulate information is known as an expressive
language disorder. You can have difficulty constructing accurate sentences such as using the wrong verb tense. It is often linked to developmental problems like Down syndrome and hearing loss. It may also be caused by a medical condition or head trauma.
Disorders of cognition and speech: Cognitive-communication disorder is a communication problem caused by an injury to the part of the brain that regulates the ability to think. It may trigger memory problems, trouble solving problems, and difficulty speaking or listening. It may be due to issues, such as irregular brain growth, certain neurological disorders, a brain injury, or a stroke,
Aphasia: This is an acquired communication impairment that impairs a person’s ability to communicate with others and understand what they are saying. It may also impair one’s ability to read and write. Aphasia is most often caused by a stroke, but it may also be caused by other brain disorders.
Resonance disorder: When normal airflow in the nasal or oral cavities is blocked or obstructed, the vibrations responsible for voice quality are altered, resulting in a resonance disorder. It may also occur if the velopharyngeal valve isn’t properly closed. Cleft palate, neurological disorders, and enlarged tonsils are all common causes of resonance disorders.
Receptive Disorders. Receptive language disorder affects a person’s ability to understand and process what others say. Whenever someone speaks, this can make you can seem uninterested, have difficulty following directions, or develop a limited vocabulary. A receptive language disorder may be caused by other language disorders such as autism, hearing loss, or a head injury.
Dysarthria: Slurred or slow speech is a symptom of this disorder, which is caused by a weakness or inability to regulate the muscles that control speech. Nervous system disorders and diseases that cause weakening of the throat and tongue or facial paralyses, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke, are the most common causes.
How long do you think you'll need speech therapy?
The length of time that a person requires speech therapy is determined by a number of factors, including their age and the nature of their speech disorder, underlying medical condition duration of therapy, and ongoing treatment of a medical problem.
Some speech problems appear in infancy and improve with age, while others persist into adulthood and necessitate long-term treatment and maintenance.
With speech-oriented treatment coupled with treatment to improve the underlying medical condition (for example, post-stroke care), a communication disability caused by such a medical condition can improve.
Conclusion
Speech therapy can help children and adults with a variety of speech and language difficulties as well as swallowing disorders. Speech therapy will help with communication and self-confidence if started early. If you or a loved one require at-home speech therapy, contact Countryside Home Healthcare today!
Reference
Elaine K. Luo, M.D, Adrienne Santos-Longhurst. What Is Speech Therapy? May 9, 2019
Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/speech-therapy
