What is Speech Therapy and How It Works

You might want Speech and Language Therapy when you or anyone you know is dealing with any of the following problems. In broader terms, speech and language therapy helps when there is- 

These three major areas have many subtypes of disorders and conditions. And the way SLT works for each of these problem areas is different. Now that we have talked about what is speech therapy, let us look at the common types of SLT problems.

When There is Difficulty Related to Speech: 

The common challenges that individuals usually face with Speech are usually conditions related to –

Fluency Disorders

When a person faces challenges in pronouncing words with regular speed and rhythm, we call it a Fluency disorder. In other words, Fluency disorders obstruct people from speaking with a convenient flow. To illustrate, two common types of such Fluency disorders are cluttering and stuttering. 

Speech Production

Another name for Speech production difficulties is ‘Articulation disorders.’

Sometimes a person faces challenges in pronouncing certain words/ sounds. As a result, s/he pronounces them distortedly. More specifically, we know this challenge as an articulation disorder. 

Voice

There are socially acceptable levels of loudness, pitch, tone, quality, etc., while talking. And some disorders cause some people to struggle to speak within these ranges. Specifically- it is recognised as a voice condition. 

Voice conditions can happen for physiological reasons. For example, the vocal system structure and nervous disorders are some common reasons for voice problems. 

Resonance

The structure of the nasal and oral cavity causes Resonance disorders. Sometimes these cavities have some blockades, and regular airflow faces obstruction. As a result, this obstruction affects the sound quality. Because of that, sometimes there is too high or too low energy in the nasal and oral airflow. We diagnose such problems as resonance disorders. 

Auditory Conditions

Speech-related conditions also root from auditory disorders. Sometimes children are born with hearing impairments. And occasionally, external causes result in loss of hearing.

Usually, therapy is quite beneficial to aurally impaired persons for developing the verbal tools for Communication. It also aids family members in communicating with the person facing hearing challenges. 

Dysarthria 

Sometimes, a person has difficulties in controlling his speech-producing muscles. We know such a condition by the name Dysarthria. Generally speaking, nervous system-related diseases, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, etc., are commonly behind Dysarthria. 

When There is Difficulty Related to Language or Communication: 

Speech therapy also helps in dealing with different kinds of communicative obstacles. We can broadly categorise them into:

Expressive Disorders

Speech therapy helps overcome expressive disorders. When a person faces difficulties in expressing themselves, it’s an expressive disorder. Having trouble constructing meaningful sentences is a good example of this. Expressive disorders are usually cases of developmental challenges at birth. Besides this, external injuries or trauma also result in expressive disorders. 

Speech and language therapy can be instrumental to solving reading-writing conditions. For example, Dyslexia. Professionals design therapies to make specific sounds first. Then they help the dyslexic person associate the sounds with alphabets. SLTs break down words part by part for doing these exercises. 

Speech and Language therapy can also benefit individuals struggling with social communication skills. Generally, problem-solving skills, memory exercises, conversational activities, etc., are the standard exercises for this. 

Receptive Disorders

Receptive disorders are another area of communicative conditions. These disorders affect a person’s ability to understand others and receive instructions. 

Head injuries, aural impairments, autism, etc., account for receptive disorders.

Aphasia is another example of a communicative condition. In the case of this acquired condition, Stroke or other conditions are most commonly responsible. Aphasia interferes with a person’s ability to speak, understand, read, and write.

When There is Difficulty Related to Food and Drink Consumption: 

Here is the interesting part of the answer to ‘What is Speech therapy.’  The name itself says ‘Speech and Language therapy.’ But alongside, it also helps with chewing, drinking, and swallowing problems. 

Eating-drinking difficulties and speech and communication challenges are often closely related. Hence this correlation. Generally speaking, children and adults- both groups, can suffer from these problems. 

The common forms of problems in eating-drinking related issues look like these-

There are obvious recurring problems caused by eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. But on top of that, these challenges come with some other severe risks. Hence, resorting early to speech and language therapy can prevent much damage in the long run. 

How Speech and Language Therapy help with eating, swallowing, and drinking challenges – 

There can be many ways in which SLT can address issues on eating, swallowing, and drinking. The first step, like always, is diagnosis. For this, the speech and language therapist usually observes certain things. S/he then strategises accordingly. For example, s/he might observe how the patient sits while eating. Or the surroundings and environment, consistency and texture of food, etc. 

Sometimes a way for resolving these issues can be as simple as just working on the food consistency. SLT professionals usually dilute or thicken the food with appropriate agents. The resulting change in texture and consistency can create significant differences. 

Designing and implementing exercises are often highly effective strategies too. The SLT professional works on devising and facilitating special exercises. These exercises involve muscle movements in the oral area. In addition, working the lips and the tongue the proper way can show excellent results. It often helps strengthen the muscles and making them more flexible. 

There is another way in which SLT professionals help people with these challenges. It is by training their family members. When close people understand the right ways, things change for the better. To explain, they help create the right meal plans, lifestyle habits, and proper surroundings. In the long run, that can show fast and holistic results.