Guide to Speech Therapy - What Is It About?
- chihchiangnieh
- Jan 31
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 3
Communication disorders affect both children and adults globally. While usually harmless, these disorders can have a significant impact on your social communication skills. This includes speech, language and even understanding.
Navigating communication disorders on your own can be challenging, and that is where speech therapy comes in. So what is speech therapy? And how does it help you combat the effects of speech problems?
What Is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is the process of helping people with speech problems. This includes both the assessment and treatment of communication problems and language disorders. The therapy focuses on enhancing your ability to articulate, understand and express yourself better.
These sessions are conducted by a speech-language pathologist (SLP), also known as speech therapists. A speech therapist will help find the right treatment and exercises to address your needs. This can be anything from helping you speak clearly to understanding language better.
When Do You Need Speech Therapy?
For Children
Delayed Speech Milestones: Speech delay affects millions of children worldwide. If your child is not speaking their first words by 12-18 months, it could indicate a delay.
Pronunciation Issues: Difficulty articulating sounds, like "r" or "s," can make speech unclear. A child may also drop, swap or distort words by coming up with a completely different pronunciation.
Stuttering: Repetitions, blocks or prolongations in speech can hinder communication and confidence. This can also manifest as struggle when attempting to speak, especially in the face and body.
Language Disorders: Trouble understanding instructions, forming sentences or expressing may indicate language issues. This shows a problem with their receptive language skills, the ability to understand and process language.
Special Needs Support: Children with autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy may have speech difficulties. They may also find it hard to develop language skills or engage in social interactions.
For Adults
Post-Stroke or Brain Injury: Neurological conditions like strokes, traumatic brain injuries or illnesses like Parkinson's can influence speech. Common issues include dysarthria, aphasia and apraxia of speech.
Voice Disorders: Persistent hoarseness, vocal strain or difficulty projecting your voice might cause long-term damage. In worst case scenarios, some communication disorders may lead to vocal cord nodules or polyps.
Swallowing Difficulties: Swallowing difficulties include frequent choking, coughing during meals or feeling like food is stuck in your throat. This can result from head or neck injuries or even neurological conditions.
Stuttering or Fluency Disorders: Adults who struggled with stuttering as children and did not receive therapy may seek it later in life. Neglecting speech therapy can lead to communication challenges that affect all aspects of life.
Accent Modification: Some adults may seek accent modification to improve confidence in communication. This is not about erasing an accent but improving speech patterns to ensure better understanding.
What Happens During Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy usually begins with an assessment conducted by the therapist. They will evaluate your communication skills and identify areas of improvement. The assessment typically involves observing how you speak, understand and use language.
For children, the therapist may use play-based techniques or structured activities to evaluate speech and language development. For adults, the focus might include analysing articulation, fluency, voice quality or swallowing abilities. Exercises that might be performed include:
Articulation Exercises: Practising specific sounds or syllables to improve clarity and pronunciation. For example, repeating words like "cat" or "sun" can target problem areas.
Breathing Techniques: Learning controlled breathing to support fluency and reduce stuttering or voice strain.
Oral Motor Exercises: Strengthening the muscles used for speech and swallowing through tasks like blowing bubbles, chewing or tongue exercises.
Language Activities: Engaging in activities that expand vocabulary, improve sentence structure or enhance comprehension. This could involve naming objects, answering questions or storytelling.
Fluency Drills: Practising slow, smooth speech to reduce stuttering, including techniques like pausing between words or phrases.
How Long Does Speech Therapy Usually Take?
The duration of speech therapy is not a one-size-fits-all. Children and adults can take anywhere between a few months to several years to achieve their goals. This also depends on their will to get better and the complexity of their condition.
That being said, severe cases benefit better from early intervention. For example, children who begin speech therapy earlier, often show faster progress compared to those who start later. Early intervention leverages the brain's plasticity during developmental stages.
This makes it easier to address communication challenges effectively.
The Benefits of Speech Therapy
Improved Communication Skills
The most obvious benefit of speech therapy is better communication. Whether it is clearer speech, improved language comprehension or more fluent conversation, therapy helps individuals express themselves better.
This can lead to better interactions and a stronger sense of confidence.
Better Social Interactions
Speech problems can greatly affect your ability to interact. Speech therapy not only addresses the technical aspects of speech but also social skills. For children, this means the ability to be part of a group or make friends.
For adults, it can lead to improved relationships with colleagues, friends and family.
Increase Self Confidence
Struggling with speech issues can be discouraging. Speech therapy helps individuals feel more confident when speaking. This can significantly improve their social and professional lives.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
In some cases, speech therapy also focuses on language and cognitive skills. Individuals may benefit from exercises that help them re-learn and produce language. This is especially effective for individuals with aphasia.
Improved Swallowing and Breathing
Speech therapy can address issues like swallowing and breathing. Swallowing therapy can help prevent choking hazards, while breath support exercises can assist with vocal quality and respiratory control.
The Bottom Line
For individuals with communication problems, speech therapy is not an option but a necessity. Speech problems can affect all areas of life, and in many cases, hinder one's potential.
That is why early intervention is the difference between getting better sooner or facing long-term challenges. So do not wait for the problem to intensify and get yourself or your child checked, as soon as possible.
Founder & CEO Alpaca Health
MBBS (Singapore) , MRCS (Ireland) , MPHMMED Surgery (Singapore) , GDFM (Singapore)
Website : https://www.alpacahealth.sg/
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