What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is a treatment program used to help children who have trouble with speech, language, communication, fluency, voice, and/or dysphagia. Treatment is provided by a certified, licensed speech-language pathologist.
There are many different reasons why speech therapy might be needed. In childhood, speech therapy is often used to help children who have:
When should therapy start?
The earlier speech therapy is started, the better. It is recommended that a speech and language evaluation be scheduled as soon as such problems are noticed by the child's parents, family members, pediatrician, or other professionals. Therapy can begin as early as infancy in cases where the baby is having difficulty learning to nurse or suck a bottle. Children with speech and language delays may begin treatment as early as 12-18 months, depending on the child's particular situation.
What happens during speech therapy?
A speech-language pathologist will test your child and find out the types of speech and language skills that he or she needs to work on. Speech therapy includes training and repetitive exercises and/or use of devices that can make it easier for some children to speak. Speech-language pathologists also work closely with the parents/family members to teach them how to help improve their child's communication skills.
The therapist usually works one-on-one with your child. During therapy your child may do a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities. Some examples are as follows:
How often will my child go to speech therapy?
How often a child has therapy depends on the particular speech problem. Your child may need to go more often at first, possibly one or more times per week. Later your child will not need to go as often and will just need to practice a lot at home.
How can I help my child?
Helping your child at home is very important. Parents work with the speech-language pathologist to learn the different skills and exercises to practice. Children who complete the program quickly and with the most lasting results are those whose parents have been involved. Overcoming speech and language problems takes time and patience. Ask the therapist what you can do to help at home.
There are many different reasons why speech therapy might be needed. In childhood, speech therapy is often used to help children who have:
- Birth defects (e.g., cleft palate, cleft lip)
- Autism
- Multiple handicaps/Syndromes
- Delayed speech or language development
- Hearing problems
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Problems forming words or sentences
- Generalized developmental delays
- Other language problems
- Stuttering
- Voice Problems
When should therapy start?
The earlier speech therapy is started, the better. It is recommended that a speech and language evaluation be scheduled as soon as such problems are noticed by the child's parents, family members, pediatrician, or other professionals. Therapy can begin as early as infancy in cases where the baby is having difficulty learning to nurse or suck a bottle. Children with speech and language delays may begin treatment as early as 12-18 months, depending on the child's particular situation.
What happens during speech therapy?
A speech-language pathologist will test your child and find out the types of speech and language skills that he or she needs to work on. Speech therapy includes training and repetitive exercises and/or use of devices that can make it easier for some children to speak. Speech-language pathologists also work closely with the parents/family members to teach them how to help improve their child's communication skills.
The therapist usually works one-on-one with your child. During therapy your child may do a variety of fun, age-appropriate activities. Some examples are as follows:
- Expressive language exercises: During these exercises the therapist plays with and talks to your child. The therapist may model new vocabulary words, correct sentence structure and grammar and teach your child to use them too.
- Receptive language exercises: During these exercises, the therapist may teach your child basic concepts, to follow directions, and or to answer questions.
- Articulation exercises: Articulation is the production of speech sounds. The therapist will do sound exercises with your child by making the correct sound or syllable of a word for the child to repeat. Your child is shown how to make the sound with his or her mouth and tongue. Your child may use a mirror to watch how the mouth and tongue move to make the correct sound.
- Oral motor exercises: Your child will be taught mouth and tongue exercises to help achieve correct mouth and tongue placement for targeted speech sounds.
- Dysphagia/Feeding: Your therapist will work with you and your child to design a diet level that reduces choking and is safe for your child. Your therapist will also work with your child to increase their tolerance for different food textures and temperatures, by using oral desensitization techniques and involving your child in making their own foods and snacks to try.
How often will my child go to speech therapy?
How often a child has therapy depends on the particular speech problem. Your child may need to go more often at first, possibly one or more times per week. Later your child will not need to go as often and will just need to practice a lot at home.
How can I help my child?
Helping your child at home is very important. Parents work with the speech-language pathologist to learn the different skills and exercises to practice. Children who complete the program quickly and with the most lasting results are those whose parents have been involved. Overcoming speech and language problems takes time and patience. Ask the therapist what you can do to help at home.