Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesWhat to ExpectResultsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
What to Expect
Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Aspeech-language pathologist(SLP) can help you with speech, language, and swallowing. They provide speech therapy to children and adults who may have speech or language disorders.
People with certain medical conditions may also benefit from speech therapy. Medical conditions that may cause speech or swallowing impairment includetraumatic brain injury,stroke(brain damage due to a blood vessel blockage or bleed), anddementia(decline in memory and thinking functions).
This article looks at the various uses for speech therapy, what to expect during a session, and the techniques involved in this type of therapy.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Speech therapy can help with a variety of conditions.
Speech Disorders
Speech therapy may help withspeech disorderslike:
Language Disorders
A language disorder (aphasia) is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to read, write, speak, or understand speech or other modes of communication.
Someone with this type of disorder may struggle to:
Brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and degenerative disorders that affect cognitive function can all cause aphasia.
Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Feeding and swallowing disorders can occur in both children and adults. A feeding disorder involves trouble with eating, sucking, drinking from a cup, or chewing. The specific term for swallowing disorders isdysphagia. Children or adults with dysphagia have trouble swallowing food or drink.
Problems swallowing or feeding may or may not be related to a medical condition. Conditions that may cause a swallowing or feeding disorder include:
Speech therapy begins with an evaluation to assess your difficulties and whether any structural issues contribute to your speech, language, feeding, or swallowing problems. An evaluation may involve a standardized test to help determine what you most need help with. Informal conversations may also help figure out your needs.
A speech-language pathologist will then work with you to help improve your ability to speak, converse, or swallow. This may involve:
You should also expect to practice the skills and exercises you learn in speech therapy sessions at home. Your speech-language pathologist may provide you with workbooks, worksheets, or virtual apps for at-home practice.
Speech Therapy for Adults
Depending on the reason you’re seeking out speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist may:
Speech Therapy for Children
A speech-language pathologist’s approach will depend on the child. When working with a child who has a feeding or swallowing disorder, they might focus on:
Other skills a speech-language pathologist may work on with a child include:
Healthcare professionals will also test your child’s hearing to see if hearing loss may be contributing to language and speech issues.
If you or your child is getting speech therapy from a qualified speech-language pathologist, you might wonder how likely it is that you’ll see improvement in speech, language, or feeding.
Summary
A speech-language pathologist works with children or adults who have speech, language, or feeding and swallowing disorders. Typically the first session will involve an evaluation to determine the areas that are causing you the most problems.
From there, they may teach you exercises and strategies to improve your speech, language, or ability to swallow and eat.
A Word From Verywell
Think you or your child would benefit from speech therapy? Get in touch with your primary healthcare provider and ask for a recommendation. You can also use the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA)Find a Certified SLP Tool.
While this may depend on the individual and the cause of speech-related problems, research suggests that speech and language therapy can significantly improve speech and language issues.
A language delay is when a child has difficulty in speaking and understanding speech that is unusual for their age.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Stuttering.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Apraxia of speech in adults.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Voice disorders.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Dysarthria.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Aphasia.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Feeding and swallowing disorders in children.Brainline.Speech therapy.Understood for All.What is speech therapy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Languages and speech disorders in children.Broomfield J, Dodd B.Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial.Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.xNemours Children’s Health.Speech-language therapy.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Stuttering.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Apraxia of speech in adults.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Voice disorders.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Dysarthria.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Aphasia.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Feeding and swallowing disorders in children.Brainline.Speech therapy.Understood for All.What is speech therapy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Languages and speech disorders in children.Broomfield J, Dodd B.Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial.Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.xNemours Children’s Health.Speech-language therapy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Stuttering.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Apraxia of speech in adults.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Voice disorders.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Dysarthria.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Aphasia.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Feeding and swallowing disorders in children.Brainline.Speech therapy.Understood for All.What is speech therapy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Languages and speech disorders in children.Broomfield J, Dodd B.Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial.Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.xNemours Children’s Health.Speech-language therapy.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Stuttering.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Apraxia of speech in adults.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Voice disorders.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Dysarthria.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Aphasia.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Feeding and swallowing disorders in children.
Brainline.Speech therapy.
Understood for All.What is speech therapy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Languages and speech disorders in children.
Broomfield J, Dodd B.Is speech and language therapy effective for children with primary speech and language impairment? Report of a randomized control trial.Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2011;46(6):628-640. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00039.x
Nemours Children’s Health.Speech-language therapy.
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