Speech Therapy
This is a commonly used term that actually has three parts ─ Speech Therapy, Language Therapy and Communication Therapy.
Speech Therapy addresses motor problems involving the oral structures (lips, tongue, teeth, palate, nasal cavity, breathing mechanism), where the child is unable to produce speech sounds or cannot produce them clearly.
Language Therapy addresses cognitive (thinking) problems involving listening, paying attention, understanding, memory, organizing thought etc., where the child can speak but not in sentences, makes grammatical mistakes, has difficulty learning new words, and reading.
Communication Therapy addresses social problems involving interest to interact, adapting to people and the environment, where the child can speak but only when he chooses to, doesn’t follow instructions, avoids people, answers irrelevantly etc.
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:
Difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly to the point that listeners can't understand what's being said.
Problems such as, in which the flow of speech is interrupted by abnormal stoppages, repetitions (st-st-stuttering), or prolonging sounds and syllables (ssssstuttering).
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.
These include difficulties with drooling, eating, and swallowing.
Language disorders can be either receptive or expressive:
Difficulties understanding or processing language.
difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way.
Specialists in Speech-Language Therapy
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), often informally known as speech therapists, are professionals educated in the study of human communication, its development, and its disorders.
SLPs assess speech, language, cognitive-communication, and oral/feeding/swallowing skills to identify types of communication problems (articulation; fluency; voice; receptive and expressive language disorders, etc.) and the best way to treat them.
Remediation
In speech-language therapy, an SLP will work with a child one-on-one, in a small group, or directly in a Group to overcome difficulties involved with a specific disorder.
Therapists use a variety of strategies, including:
The SLP 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.
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 SLP 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.
The SLP 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 SLP also may work with different food textures and temperatures to increase a child's oral awareness during eating and swallowing.
When do you require Speech Therapy?
Kids might need speech-language therapy for a variety of reasons, including:
- Hearing impairments
- Cognitive (intellectual, thinking) or other developmental delays
- Weak oral muscles
- Excessive drooling
- Chronic hoarseness
- Birth defects such as cleft lip or cleft palate
- Motor planning problems
- Respiratory problems (breathing disorders)
- Feeding and swallowing disorders
- Traumatic brain injury
Therapy should begin as soon as possible. Children enrolled in therapy early (before they're 5 years old) tend to have better outcomes than those who begin therapy later.
This does not mean that older kids can't make progress in therapy; they may progress at a slower rate because they often have learned patterns that need to be changed.
Helping Your Child
Speech-language experts agree that parental involvement is crucial to the success of a child's progress in speech or language therapy.
Parents are an extremely important part of their child's therapy program and help determine whether it is a success. Kids who complete the program quickest and with the longest-lasting results are those whose parents have been involved.
Ask the therapist for suggestions on how you can help your child. For instance, it's important to help your child do the at-home stimulation activities that the SLP suggests to ensure continued progress and carry-over of newly learned skills.
The process of overcoming a speech or language disorder can take some time and effort, so it's important that all family members be patient and understanding with the child.
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TESTI MONIALS
I am extremely pleased with the OT rendered by Dr.Balaji and team of Buds To Blossom. What is fascinating is the ability of Dr.Balaji to accurately diagnose the developmental issues for my daughter through a scientific testing process. Based on the results, he chalked out an objective / sharp OT intervention for my daughter with appropriate milestone checks and balances. Given that I hold a masters degree in social sciences and psychology, I understand the depth of Dr.Balaji’s diagnostic approach to OT coupled with his deep understanding of the latest OT techniques. Owing to his intervention, my daughter who was on the lower end of the autistic spectrum, has marched past several development milestones in the last couple of years under the close guidance of Dr.Balaji and his team. Even during these times of pandemic, while I was earlier apprehensive about doing OT remotely, I find that there is no dilution of effectiveness even if OT is done remotely. In fact, I am able to save a lot of travel time to the clinic and my daughter has adapted herself well to the digital mode. My wife and I are always indebted to him as we see our child manifest age appropriate behaviour.
Hi All, A big thank you to Dr Balaji and his team for helping us to understand the shortcoming of a child and guiding us through our journey with different thearist as age appropriate and helping us sail through. We started this unknown journey which was very much guided by the doctor making it a fruitful journey. And hats off to sir, having taking classes personally online within the comfort zone of our homes is highly commendable. As parents we are thankful to doctor Balaji and his team for it has worked long for us both hand's on ,and online therapy since lockdown Online classes show their commitment level for kids and truly Appreciate the same where there is a will there's a way. Thank you once again lots of gratitude
Doctor is very patient and friendly towards the kids. My daughter is 2yrs old and we have been coming here for the past one month. I could see a lot of major changes in her within this short span. The doctor and the staffs made this happen with their much needed approach. I strongly recommend him to anyone awaiting help!
We are completely satisfied with therapy given to my daughter and are very happy with therapists and their approach to my daughter is good she feels like extended home and at same time she as shown lot of improvements and they are very much accessible to us when we are not in town they advise on home program or any sort of issues immediately answered
Very good service and noticed a lot of improvement in my son's behaviour and activities would really recommend for others too. Staff faculty are very Co operative. They have much patience in dealing with the kids. Thank you for lending a helping hand for such kids with hyperactive,delayed speech.
Our sons speaking ability has improved well and he is trying to speak in full sentences. His concentration level has improved, he is writing , playing with other children, eating by self , trying to do his daily routines. We are happy with improvements in his activities and speech . Thank you so much.
We have seen good progress on our daughters motor skill. Very happy we are. Therapists explaination after each session increases our confidence
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