What is
Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy for adults involves the assessment and treatment of speech, language, voice, fluency, and cognitive-communication disorders. The goal of speech therapy is to improve communication skills, which can include speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
During speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) will work with the individual to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their specific communication needs. Treatment may involve exercises to improve speech production, language comprehension and expression, voice projection, fluency, and cognitive skills. The SLP may also provide counseling and education to help the individual and their family members better understand and manage their communication difficulties.
Some common reasons that adults may seek speech therapy include:
Speech Sound Disorders
Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly, which may lead to difficulty being understood by others.
Language Disorders
Difficulty understanding or expressing language, which may include difficulty with vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
Voice Disorders
Problems with the voice, such as hoarseness, loss of voice, or a strained or breathy voice.
Fluency Disorders
Problems with the flow of speech, such as stuttering.
Cognitive-Communication Disorders
Difficulty with communication due to changes in cognitive function, such as memory, attention, or problem-solving skills.
Swallowing Disorders
Difficulty swallowing can come with age, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia, and many other reasons.
How do SLPs help with these speech disorders?
Phonological Therapy
Phonological disorders involve patterns of sound errors that affect multiple sounds or groups of sounds. SLPs help individuals identify and correct these patterns by teaching them the underlying rules and patterns of the sound system. They work on increasing sound discrimination and production skills.
Articulation Therapy
SLPs work on improving articulation, which refers to the ability to produce speech sounds correctly. They provide targeted exercises and drills to help individuals learn and practice the correct placement and movement of their articulators (such as the lips, tongue, and jaw) to produce specific sounds.
Fluency Therapy
SLPs provide therapy for individuals with fluency disorders, such as stuttering. They use techniques like slow and relaxed speech, breathing exercises, and strategies to manage disfluencies. SLPs also work on reducing anxiety and increasing confidence during speaking situations.
Language Intervention
SLPs address language disorders, which involve difficulties with understanding and using spoken or written language. They focus on various language components, such as vocabulary, grammar, sentence structure, comprehension, and pragmatic (social) language skills. SLPs use activities, games, and exercises to promote language development and improve communication abilities.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
SLPs employ various cognitive rehabilitation techniques to address cognitive deficits that impact communication. These techniques may include memory strategies, attention-training exercises, problem-solving tasks, and executive function training. The goal is to enhance cognitive skills that directly support communication abilities.
Cognitive-Communication Training
SLPs provide training and practice in functional communication skills for everyday situations. This may involve simulating real-life scenarios and practicing strategies to compensate for cognitive deficits during conversations, social interactions, and activities of daily living.
Voice Therapy
SLPs help individuals with voice disorders by addressing vocal quality, pitch, loudness, and resonance. They may provide exercises to improve vocal cord function, teach proper vocal hygiene, and help individuals develop healthy voice production techniques.
AAC & Assistive Technology
SLPs may introduce augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems or assistive technology to support individuals with severe communication difficulties. These systems can include communication boards, speech-generating devices, or apps that allow individuals to express themselves effectively when verbal communication is challenging or not possible.
Oral Motor & Swallowing Therapy
SLPs address difficulties related to oral motor skills and swallowing disorders. They provide exercises to strengthen the muscles used for speech and swallowing and may recommend modified diets or techniques to improve swallowing safety and efficiency.
Counseling & Support
SLPs offer counseling and emotional support to individuals with cognitive communication disorders and their families. They help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological challenges that may arise due to communication difficulties and provide guidance on managing communication barriers effectively.
Parent & Caregiver Education
SLPs play an essential role in educating parents, caregivers, and family members about speech disorders. They provide information about the nature of the disorder, therapy techniques, and strategies to support and reinforce progress at home. SLPs may also involve family members in therapy sessions to ensure carryover of skills outside the therapy setting.