Types of Speech Therapies for the Most Common Speech-Language Disorders

If you or your child has a speech-language disorder, a speech-language pathologist (SLP or just speech therapist) can tailor the speech therapy to suit the particular circumstances. Here are the most common disorders that can be treated by a type of speech therapy:

Late Talking

When your child is at an age when they should already be talking and they aren’t, a speech therapist can help. Usually the therapy involves finding the right motivation for the child to want to speak. This may include playing with the child or even withholding a favorite toy.

Apraxia

If your child has apraxia, they don’t find it easy to make certain sounds or say particular syllables. They know what they want to say, but it just won’t come out right.

The speech therapy for this is usually given on a one-on-one basis, and it will involve intensive practice with speech. The SLP can use visual or auditory cues to help. In some cases, the therapist may record them while speaking and this recording is played back. The child may also speak while looking at themselves in the mirror.

Stuttering

Usually, this is considered a behavioral problem. It normally develops during childhood, but an adult can develop this problem as well. The SLP can teach behavioral modification techniques for the patient to help them control their stuttering.

Since speaking too fast can make stuttering worse, the patient is often taught to speak more slowly. They can practice talking in a more fluent manner, while they also monitor their breathing. Follow-up sessions may be required even after treating the condition to keep the problem from recurring.

Aphasia

This condition often results after some type of damage to the brain resulting in speaking difficulties. The brain damage may also affect the patient’s ability to listen, read, and write. This can happen to adults after they’ve had a stroke.

The SLP can use drills to improve language skills, or use group therapy to help them with their conversational skills.

Swallowing Difficulties

Doctors can often treat medical conditions that can lead to swallowing difficulties, but in some cases the problem may persist. The speech therapist can help by using exercises that can improve their chewing, enhance the tongue movement, and make their mouth stronger.

The SLP can also provide input regarding the food and their consistency. The SLP can help babies with coordinating their suck-swallow-breath pattern.

Conclusion

These are just a sample of what a trained speech therapist can do. First they will need to diagnose the problem accurately, so that they can then come up with the custom speech therapy that can help.

As the speech problem is quite different from case to case, it is suggested to consult an ENT Specialist for the appropriate speech therapy .

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

Sleep Disordered Breathing Management,

Hearing Aid Prescription & Medical Cosmetic Services

https://www.hkentspecialist.hk