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Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists, also called SLPs, are experts in communication.
SLPs work with people of all ages, from babies to adults. SLPs treat many types of communication and swallowing problems. These include problems with:
Speech sounds: how we say sounds and put sounds together into words. Other words for these problems are articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.
Language: how well we understand what we hear or read and how we use words to tell others what we are thinking. In adults this problem may be called aphasia.
Literacy: how well we read and write. People with speech and language disorders may also have trouble reading, spelling, and writing.
Social communication: how well we follow rules, like taking turns, how to talk to different people, or how close to stand to someone when talking. This is also called pragmatics.
Voice: how our voices sound. We may sound hoarse, lose our voices easily, talk too loudly or through our noses, or be unable to make sounds.
Fluency: also called stuttering, is how well speech flows. Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like t-t-t-table, use "um" or "uh," or pause a lot when talking. Many young children will go through a time when they stutter, but most outgrow it.
Cognitive-communication: how well our minds work. Problems may involve memory, attention, problem solving, organization, and other thinking skills.
Feeding and swallowing: how well we suck, chew, and swallow food and liquid. A swallowing disorder may lead to poor nutrition, weight loss, and other health problems. This is also called dysphagia.
Source: Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? (asha.org)
Language Therapy
Language Therapy
Language therapy encompasses a wide range of therapeutic approaches offered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs or speech therapists) to address children with delays or disorders in various language-related areas.
These areas include:
Listening Skills: How well a child can comprehend what is being said to them and follow instructions.
Grammar Skills: A child's ability to use grammatical markers to construct complete sentences.
Vocabulary Skills: A child's understanding of word meanings and their capacity to recall and use those words when communicating.
Question Skills: A child's proficiency in both answering and asking questions using diverse structures.
Social Language Skills (Pragmatics): A child's capability to use language for social interaction and adhere to conversational and play-related social norms.
Literacy/Book Skills: A child's competence in reading and writing or developing pre-reading skills, such as book handling and recognizing printed text.
The process of language therapy involves the speech therapist identifying specific areas in which the child requires assistance and selecting appropriate targets. The therapist then employs various techniques to teach each skill step by step. For instance, if a child is working on "where" questions, the therapist may start with simple questions like "where's your nose" or "where's the ball," gradually progressing to more complex queries like "where do you wash your hands?". These teaching methods may incorporate visual aids, verbal reminders, and other strategies to support the child's learning and progress.
Speech Training
Speech Training
Speech training in speech therapy refers to the process of improving a person's spoken communication abilities. It involves targeted exercises, techniques, and interventions designed to address speech difficulties and enhance the clarity, articulation, and overall effectiveness of speech.
Speech training typically focuses on various aspects, including:
Articulation: Correcting the production of speech sounds to ensure clarity and intelligibility.
Phonological Processes: Addressing patterns of sound errors that may be affecting speech clarity.
Voice Training: Working on the pitch, volume, and quality of one's voice.
Fluency: Helping individuals who stutter to achieve smoother and more fluent speech.
Resonance: Adjusting the tone and quality of the voice to improve resonance.
Prosody: Developing appropriate rhythm, stress, and intonation patterns in speech.
Breath Control: Enhancing control over breathing for improved speech delivery.
Speech training involves individualized assessments and therapy plans tailored to each person's specific speech needs. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) or speech therapists use a variety of techniques, exercises, and tools to help clients develop more effective speech patterns and communication skills, allowing them to express themselves more clearly and confidently. The ultimate goal of speech training is to enhance communication and overall quality of life for individuals with speech difficulties.
Communication Support
Communication Support
In the context of speech therapy, social communication refers to the use of speech and language skills in social interactions. It involves the ability to engage in conversations, understand and use nonverbal cues, interpret social nuances, and convey emotions effectively within social contexts. Speech therapists work to improve an individual's social communication skills, particularly in areas such as pragmatic language and social interaction, to enhance their ability to engage meaningfully in social settings.
Social communication support provided by speech therapists is highly individualized and based on the unique needs and goals of the client. It aims to enhance a person's ability to engage in effective and meaningful social interactions, fostering better relationships and social integration.
Some of the key components encompassed in the communication support services provided by speech therapists for social communication include:
Pragmatic Language Therapy: Pragmatic language refers to the use of language in social situations..
Social Skills Training: Speech therapists may provide explicit instruction in social skills, including how to initiate and maintain conversations, greet others, make friends, and resolve conflicts in social settings.
Emotional Regulation: Helping individuals understand and manage their emotions in social situations, including identifying and expressing feelings appropriately.
Social Pragmatic Language Assessment: Conducting assessments to evaluate a person's social communication abilities and identifying areas that need improvement.
Role-Playing and Modeling: Using role-play exercises and modeling to teach and practice appropriate social interactions.
Social Stories and Social Scripts: Developing and using social stories or scripts to help individuals navigate specific social situations or scenarios.
Group Therapy: Conducting group therapy sessions where individuals can practice social communication skills in a supportive and structured environment.
Collaboration with Educators and Caregivers: Working closely with teachers, parents, and caregivers to provide strategies and support for fostering social communication skills in various settings, including school and home.
Functional Communication Training: Teaching individuals alternative communication strategies when verbal communication is challenging, such as using visual aids or AAC devices to express themselves socially.
Building Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Assisting individuals in understanding the perspectives and feelings of others, promoting empathy and improved social interactions.
Cognitive Training
Cognitive Training
In the context of speech therapy, cognitive training involves activities and exercises designed to improve an individual's cognitive-communication abilities. Cognitive-communication refers to the interaction between cognitive (thinking) processes and communication skills.
Cognitive training in speech therapy is often tailored to the individual's specific needs and challenges, especially if they have cognitive-communication deficits resulting from conditions like traumatic brain injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative disorders like dementia. The goal is to enhance cognitive-communication abilities, leading to more effective and independent communication in everyday life.
Cognitive training in speech therapy typically includes the following components:
Memory: Speech therapists may work on improving a person's memory skills, including short-term memory for recalling recent information and long-term memory for retaining and retrieving information over time.
Attention: Training to enhance an individual's ability to sustain attention, switch between tasks, and filter out distractions, all of which are crucial for effective communication.
Problem-Solving: Activities that focus on developing problem-solving skills, decision-making, and reasoning abilities, which are essential for navigating communication challenges.
Organization and Planning: Strategies to help individuals organize their thoughts and express them coherently, both in conversation and in written communication.
Executive Function: Training in executive function skills, such as goal-setting, task initiation, self-monitoring, and time management, to support effective communication in daily life.
Cognitive Flexibility: Exercises to improve an individual's ability to adapt to changing communication situations and adjust their communication style accordingly.
Metacognition: Encouraging individuals to reflect on their thinking and communication processes, which can lead to more self-aware and effective communication.
Communication Strategies: Teaching individuals strategies to compensate for cognitive deficits, such as using visual aids, taking notes, or using specific communication techniques.
Functional Communication: Focusing on the practical application of cognitive skills in real-life situations, such as problem-solving during social interactions or using memory aids to recall important information.
Voice Disorders
Voice Disorders
A voice disorder refers to a condition or impairment that affects the production of sound by the vocal cords or the quality of a person's voice. Voice disorders encompass a range of issues, including hoarseness, breathiness, roughness, or changes in pitch, loudness, or endurance of the voice. These disorders can result from various causes, such as vocal cord nodules, polyps, muscle tension, vocal cord paralysis, or functional voice disorders, and they are treated through speech therapy to improve vocal function and quality.
Voice disorders can be effectively treated with speech therapy. The specific approach to treatment may vary depending on the type and cause of the voice disorder. Here are the general steps involved in treating voice disorders through speech therapy:
Assessment: Identify the type and cause of the disorder.
Voice Therapy: Engage in exercises to improve vocal function, relaxation techniques, and vocal hygiene education.
Lifestyle Modifications: Make behavioral changes to support vocal health.
Education: Learn to use the voice more effectively and avoid strain.
Monitoring and Adjustments: Track progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Surgery or Medical Intervention: In severe cases, collaborate with an ear, nose, and throat specialist for surgical options.
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: After surgery, undergo speech therapy to regain vocal function.
What is speech therapy?
What is speech therapy?
Speech-language pathologists, also called SLPs, are experts in communication.
SLPs work with people of all ages, from babies to adults. SLPs treat many types of communication and swallowing problems. These include problems with:
Speech sounds: how we say sounds and put sounds together into words. Other words for these problems are articulation or phonological disorders, apraxia of speech, or dysarthria.
Language: how well we understand what we hear or read and how we use words to tell others what we are thinking. In adults this problem may be called aphasia.
Literacy: how well we read and write. People with speech and language disorders may also have trouble reading, spelling, and writing.
Social communication: how well we follow rules, like taking turns, how to talk to different people, or how close to stand to someone when talking. This is also called pragmatics.
Voice: how our voices sound. We may sound hoarse, lose our voices easily, talk too loudly or through our noses, or be unable to make sounds.
Fluency: also called stuttering, is how well speech flows. Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like t-t-t-table, use "um" or "uh," or pause a lot when talking. Many young children will go through a time when they stutter, but most outgrow it.
Cognitive-communication: how well our minds work. Problems may involve memory, attention, problem solving, organization, and other thinking skills.
Feeding and swallowing: how well we suck, chew, and swallow food and liquid. A swallowing disorder may lead to poor nutrition, weight loss, and other health problems. This is also called dysphagia.
Source: Who Are Speech-Language Pathologists, and What Do They Do? (asha.org)
Wendy Echols has been in our community since 2019 bringing her much needed expertise to our community. Wendy graduated with her Bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University in Kentucky and then completed her Masters in Communications Sciences Disorders from Western Kentucky. She is completing her Doctorate in Speech Language Pathology this year.issuu.com/newchf/docs/2022_annual_report_compressed/s/19184912Click the image to view the full article!
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