Speech-language therapy is the treatment for most kids with speech and/or 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.
Nemours speech and language therapists hold at least a master's degree and state certification/licensure in the field, as well as a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. They specialize in the areas of hearing impairment, cochlear implants, and birth defects such as cleft lip and palate, but they also work with children who have other general speech and language disorders or delays, including:
- articulation disorders, which are difficulties producing sounds in syllables or saying words incorrectly to the point that other people can't understand what's being said
- fluency disorders, which includes problems such as stuttering
- resonance or voice disorders, which include problems with the pitch, volume, or quality of the voice that distract listeners from what's being said
- dysphagia (swallowing disorders) or other oral feeding difficulties relating to weak oral muscles
- receptive language disorders, which refers to difficulties understanding or processing language
- expressive language disorders, which include difficulty putting words together, limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way (pragmatic language skills)
- auditory neuropathy
In addition, they facilitate sign language development as a means of communication in children who are not verbal due to developmental delay or hearing loss. They also offer coping and compensatory strategies for children with auditory processing disorders.
Therapists generally see children individually in a child-friendly setting where the child will not be distracted and the therapist can conduct accurate assessments. These assessments are often done in collaboration with specialists from various clinical areas to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s therapy, and are often given at-home stimulation activities to ensure continued progress and carry-over of newly learned skills. In fact, kids whose parents are involved in their therapy are typically the ones who experience the quickest and most lasting results.