Speech therapy is a form of treatment that helps people who have difficulty speaking to communicate better and break down barriers caused by speech impediments. A speech therapist, also known as a speech-language pathologist, evaluates, diagnoses, and treats speech disorders and communication problems. They work with both children with developmental delays and adults with speech problems caused by injury or illness. To become a speech pathologist, one must complete a formal education program and clinical fellowship.
After that, they can obtain a license and certification. When it comes to treatment, there are several techniques that your speech therapist can use. The goals of speech therapy are to improve pronunciation, strengthen the muscles used in speech, and learn to speak correctly. Private speech therapy may be costly as many private health insurance plans don't cover it or only cover it for specific conditions.
Your healthcare provider may refer you to a speech-language pathologist for a variety of reasons. Speech-language pathologists also educate and train other professionals, family members, and caregivers. They may use low-tech means such as an image exchange communication system (PECS), high-tech communication devices (tablets, Go-Talk), or esophageal speech. What happens during speech therapy depends on several factors such as age and the type of speech disorder.
It's important to develop realistic expectations with the therapist when developing a program for your child. Speech therapy can help your child achieve greater ability to use and understand language, communicate with others, and express themselves to the greatest extent possible. It's important to note that many people have the misconception that speech therapy is just about speech, but it's much more than that. Speech therapy can help individuals learn how to communicate more effectively by improving pronunciation, strengthening the muscles used in speaking, and learning how to speak correctly.
The primary goal of speech therapy is to help individuals overcome their communication barriers so they can express themselves more effectively. Speech therapists work with both children with developmental delays and adults with speech problems caused by injury or illness. They use various techniques such as low-tech means like an image exchange communication system (PECS), high-tech communication devices (tablets, Go-Talk), or esophageal speech to help individuals achieve their communication goals.
