What Does a Speech Therapist Do?
Table of Contents
What Is A Speech Therapist?: Roles and responsibilities of speech therapists.
Areas of Focus: Specialities and techniques of speech therapists to better support clients.
When Should You See a Speech Therapist?: Signs to look for which indicate a need for speech therapy services.
Speech therapy is often a term we hear, but many of us are unsure of the specifics of what a speech therapist does and how they can help. Whether it’s improving communication skills, treating swallowing disorders, or helping with speech and language development, speech therapists play a crucial role in enhancing people's ability to communicate and function in daily life. If you or a loved one is considering speech therapy, here's an in-depth look at what a speech therapist does and how they can help.
What is a Speech Therapist?
A speech therapist, also known as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), is a trained professional who diagnoses and treats individuals with speech, language, voice, communication, and swallowing disorders. These disorders can occur at any age, from infants to the elderly, and can result from various causes such as developmental delays, neurological conditions, trauma, hearing loss, or even aging.
Speech therapists work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Their job is to assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans to help individuals improve their communication abilities and overcome challenges related to speech, language, and swallowing.
Key Areas of Focus for a Speech Therapist
1. Speech Disorders
Speech disorders are conditions where a person has difficulty articulating or pronouncing sounds, or where their speech is not clear. Common speech disorders include:
Speech Sound Production disorders: Problems pronouncing certain sounds, like "r" or "s."
Stuttering: Repetitive interruptions in speech and associated behaviors that affect fluency.
Apraxia of speech: A motor disorder where the brain struggles to send signals to muscles needed for speech, leading to difficulty coordinating mouth movements.
Speech therapists help by teaching techniques to improve speech production, providing strategies to improve fluency, and using specialized approaches for individuals with apraxia.
2. Language Disorders
Language disorders involve difficulties understanding others or expressing oneself, both verbally and non-verbally. These can include:
Expressive language disorder: Struggling to convey thoughts and ideas through words.
Receptive language disorder: Difficulty comprehending what others are saying.
Social language disorder: Difficulty understanding and displaying social norms in a variety of settings
Aphasia: A language disorder often caused by a brain injury (like a stroke) where individuals have trouble with speaking, understanding, reading, or writing.
SLPs work with individuals to develop language skills, teach alternative communication methods if necessary, and provide strategies to improve comprehension and expression.
3. Voice Disorders
Voice disorders can make it hard for individuals to speak clearly or loudly enough for others to understand. Some voice issues include:
Hoarseness or breathiness: A weak, raspy, or harsh voice.
Vocal cord dysfunction: A condition where the vocal cords do not open or close properly.
Hypernasality: A condition where speech sounds "nasal" due to airflow problems.
Speech therapists use techniques such as vocal exercises, breathing exercises, and posture adjustments to improve voice quality and reduce strain.
4. Feeding and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)
Feeding difficulties with infants and children can lead to undernutrition, poor weight gain, dehydration, food aversion, and gastrointestinal issues. A speech therapist can assess and treat feeding difficulties by:
Determining optimum feeding methods and techniques to maximize feeding efficiency
Supporting safe and adequate nutrition and hydration
Enhancing caregiver and child interactions surrounding feedings
Swallowing difficulties, medically known as dysphagia, are a common issue, especially for the elderly or those recovering from strokes or surgeries. A speech therapist can assess and treat swallowing difficulties by:
Helping individuals relearn how to swallow safely and effectively.
Providing strategies to manage choking or aspiration risks.
Working on strengthening the muscles used for swallowing.
This type of therapy is essential in preventing aspiration pneumonia and improving quality of life.
5. Cognitive-Communication Disorders
Cognitive-communication disorders involve difficulties with memory, attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions that affect how individuals communicate. These can result from:
Brain injuries or concussions
Stroke or neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson’s
Developmental delays
SLPs help patients by offering strategies to manage memory, improve attention, and use compensatory techniques for communication.
6. Accent Modification
Have you ever wondered how actors and actresses perfect different accents for their roles? There is often a SLP behind the scenes spending hours practicing and prepping actors and actresses for important scenes. SLPs also work with:
People who speak English as a second language
People who want to change their regional accent
Professionals who want to communicate better at work
SLPs learn how an individual produces certain sounds and will help clients modify the way they produce sounds to best suit their needs.
When Should You See a Speech Therapist?
You might want to consider seeing a speech therapist if:
Your child has difficulty pronouncing words or forming sentences.
You or someone you know has trouble swallowing or experiences choking during meals.
There are concerns about speech fluency (e.g., stuttering).
Someone has had a stroke or brain injury that affects speech or language.
Voice issues persist (e.g., hoarseness or vocal fatigue).
Someone experiences difficulty understanding language or expressing thoughts.
Speech therapy can be incredibly beneficial when intervention happens early, so it's important to seek help when you notice communication difficulties, no matter your age.
Conclusion
Speech therapists are highly trained professionals who help individuals communicate more effectively, manage swallowing disorders, and regain cognitive functions. Their work is essential for enhancing quality of life and helping people achieve greater independence. If you or someone you know struggles with speech or language challenges, a speech therapist could make a significant difference in improving their communication skills and overall well-being. If you have questions or concerns about your child, fill out our contact form. We are here to help!
ReplyForward
