When should I seek an evaluation?
When children have difficulty expressing themselves, they can become frustrated. Speech Therapists work closely with parents to enhance language and articulation skills. Some of the disorders are :-
Speech Disorders and Language Disorders
A Speech Disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas.
Speech disorders include:
Articulation Disorders: Difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly to the point that listeners can't understand what's being said.
Fluency Disorders: Problems such as stuttering, in which the flow of speech is interrupted by abnormal stoppages, repetitions (st-st-stuttering), or prolonging sounds and syllables (stuttering).
Resonance or Voice Disorders: Problems with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice that distract listeners from what's being said. These types of disorders may also cause pain or discomfort for a child when speaking.
Dysphagia/Oral Feeding Disorders: These include difficulties with drooling, eating, and swallowing.
Language Disorders can be either receptive or expressive:
• Receptive Disorders: Difficulties understanding or processing language.
• Expressive Disorders: Difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way.
What happens in a Speech Therapy Session?
Therapists use a variety of strategies, including:
Oral-Motor/Feeding and Swallowing Therapy: The Therapist will use a variety of oral exercises — including facial massage and various tongue, lip, and jaw exercises — to strengthen the muscles of the mouth. The therapist also may work with different food textures and temperatures to increase a child's oral awareness during eating and swallowing.
Articulation Therapy: Articulation, or sound production, exercises involve having the therapist model correct sounds and syllables for a child, often during play activities. The level of play is age-appropriate and related to the child's specific needs. The therapist will physically show the child how to make certain sounds, such as the "r" sound, and may demonstrate how to move the tongue to produce specific sounds.
Language Intervention Activities: The Therapist will interact with a child by playing and talking, using pictures, books, objects, or ongoing events to stimulate language development. The therapist may also model correct pronunciation and use repetition exercises to build speech and language skills.
