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Children with language and communication disorders need speech therapy. While these children may not have a voice, they can still be helped through a variety of communication devices, both low-tech and high-tech. There are also many options for high-tech communication apps. Speech therapy includes language as well as other areas, including hearing, swallowing, and speaking. Many people have misconceptions about the therapy and are misinformed about what it involves. Read on to learn more.
Articulation disorders
Speech disorders can affect your child’s articulation or phonology. Early detection can have a positive impact on your child’s academic performance and social life. Articulation disorders in speech therapy include developmental approaches based on the acquisition of sounds in typically developing children. These therapies are typically provided by a licensed speech and language pathologist, avoiding social stigma and preventing further reading and writing disorders. Here are some examples of common articulation disorders:
Depending on the severity of your child’s problem, articulation disorder therapy may be necessary. Children with a deviated clef lip or a cleft palate will require specialized speech therapy treatment. If you suspect that your child is suffering from a deviated clef lip or a deviated palate, you may want to discuss the possibility of surgery with your child’s speech therapist.
Receptive disorders
Receptive language disorders are most often diagnosed in children between the ages of three and five. Children with this disorder may have difficulty following directions, interpreting phrases as literal, or may struggle to learn figurative language. Speech-language pathologists can diagnose receptive language disorders by looking at the child’s interaction with others and testing his or her language comprehension. Here are some tips to help your child benefit from therapy.
Receptive language disorder symptoms vary widely from one person to the next. Some may be subtle, while others can be more pronounced. Receptive language disorders often have no defining cause, though they may be caused by genetic factors or early exposure to speech. It is also possible that a child has a receptive disorder if they have other developmental or medical problems. In addition to being more likely to have a language disorder, a child suffering from receptive language disorders will often have a limited vocabulary.
Resonance disorders
The Comprehensive Assessment for Resonance Disorders has many similar components to the comprehensive assessment for Cleft Lip and Palate. Both tests assess the severity of communication impairments and their impact on speech clarity. Additionally, these tests assess linguistic variation and influence. The Speech-Language Pathologist will use these assessments in conjunction with the patient, family, and other medical professionals. Often, patients with resonance disorders require additional evaluations in addition to speech therapy.
Resonance disorders occur when airflow in the nasal and oral cavities is incorrect. These airflows shape the sounds a speaker produces during speech. Generally, cleft palate is the cause of resonance problems, but may also be due to apraxia, enlarged adenoids, or a neurological disorder. Patients with resonance disorders often experience weak consonant production, short utterances, and muffled speech quality. Resonance disorders may also be caused by mislearning.
Stroke
Among the many components of rehabilitation for stroke patients, speech therapy focuses on speech, swallowing, and cognitive abilities. Each session begins with an extensive evaluation and continues weekly with progress reports. The therapist then moves through specific areas to work on, assigning homework for the patient to practice between sessions. Families are also encouraged to participate in the therapy sessions. A swallowing assessment is also completed by the speech therapist to ensure the patient is eating the right texture of food.
Another useful speech therapy exercise for stroke survivors involves moving the tongue in and out. Pushing the tongue out for a few seconds and then pulling it back again is one technique that may be repeated several times per day. The speech therapist may also suggest certain aids to help the patient communicate more easily. Having difficulty with speech and language after a stroke is known as aphasia, a disorder of the brain’s ability to plan and coordinate movements.
