What Is Speech Therapy?

Speech and language abilities vary from person to person, with some able to quickly articulate what they think while others struggle to find the right words. Nearly 7.7% of U.S. children ages 3-17 have a disorder related to speech, language, voice, or swallowing. Additionally, an estimated 17.9 million U.S. adults report having a problem with their voice. These conditions make reading, speaking, and writing challenging.

However, people with speech and language disorders can find hope in speech therapy, which can lead to a healthier, happier, and more expressive life. But what is speech therapy?

We welcome you to this exploration of speech therapy, the different conditions it addresses, and the transformative benefits it can have on individuals of all ages. Join us as we uncover the essential role speech therapy plays in fostering better communication and, ultimately, better connections in our daily lives. 

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is the assessment and treatment of various speech and language disorders and communication problems. It may be needed for speech disorders that develop in childhood or speech impairments in adults caused by an illness or injury, such as stroke or brain injury. Speech therapy is administered by speech-language pathologists (SLPs), often called speech therapists. 

The common goals that SPLs work towards during speech therapy sessions vary depending on the specific needs of the individual. However, the two key focus areas include targeting speech sounds and enhancing language skills. Through these focus areas, speech therapy aims to empower individuals to communicate more effectively and confidently. 

What Does Speech Therapy Do?

Speech therapy can help children and adults improve their speech and language skills. Moreover, it's an effective treatment for various conditions that hinder communication, such as:  

Speech disorders

A speech disorder is a condition in which a person experiences problems creating or forming the speech sounds needed to communicate with others. Common speech disorders include articulation disorders, phonological disorders, dysarthria, and apraxia.

While treatment depends on the type of speech disorder, speech therapy for these conditions focuses on building familiarity with certain words or sounds. 

Language disorders

A language disorder is a condition that makes it difficult to read, write, speak, or understand speech or other modes of communication. The main types of language disorders are receptive language disorder and expressive language disorder. Receptive language disorder refers to difficulty understanding words and/or sentences and following directions.

On the other hand, expressive language disorder refers to difficulty using the right words when talking and putting sentences together correctly. To treat these disorders, SLPs work with individuals to develop vocabulary, grammar, and language processing skills. 

Fluency disorders

Fluency disorders are interruptions in the flow of speaking characterized by atypical rhythm, rate, and/or continuity of speech. The most common fluency disorder is stuttering, characterized by repetitions of sounds, prolongations of consonants, and blocks. Another common fluency disorder is cluttering, defined by a perceived rapid or irregular speech rate, atypical pauses, pragmatic issues, and maze behaviors.

While fluency disorders can't be cured, SLPs use different methods and strategies to help individuals manage speech day-to-day. This may involve speaking in shorter sentences, controlling speaking speed, and controlling breathing.

Voice disorders

Voice disorders refer to an individual's inability to speak clearly and abnormalities in voice quality, pitch, or volume. The main types of voice disorders include laryngitis, spasmodic dysphonia, and vocal cord paresis.

To treat these conditions, SLPs may take either the direct or indirect approach. The direct approach focuses on manipulating voice-producing mechanisms to establish healthy voice production. In contrast, the indirect approach focuses on changing the cognitive, physical, and behavioral environments in which voicing occurs. 

Cognitive-communication disorders

A cognitive-communication disorder is a condition resulting from an impaired functioning of one or more cognitive processes, such as problem-solving, reasoning, language, processing speed, perception, and memory.

This condition can be a result of Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. Cognitive-communication disorders can occur alone or in combination with other conditions, such as dysarthria, apraxia, or aphasia. 

A person with cognitive-communication disorder can be treated using exercises to retrain discrete cognitive processes such as attention, using internal memory strategies or spaced retrieval training to solidify memories, etc. 

Swallowing disorders (Dysphagia)

Dysphagia is the medical term for the difficulty of swallowing. While it can affect people throughout their lifespan, more often, it impacts babies, older adults, or people with neurological problems. Dysphagia usually tends to occur as a result of a stroke, dementia, Parkinson's, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, cleft lip and palate, and head injury.

To treat this condition, SLPs may prescribe exercises to strengthen the muscles or stimulate the nerves in the mouth and neck. They may also recommend changing the position of the head while swallowing or swallowing multiple times. 

Auditory processing disorders

An auditory processing disorder (APD) also known as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) refers to the lack of the brain’s ability to process and interpret sounds, including spoken words. It shouldn’t be confused with hearing loss or impairment as APD refers to the brain’s inability to make sense of what it hears. This condition often starts in childhood, but some may develop it later on. 

While it doesn't have a cure, speech therapy is one of the strategies that can mitigate the effects of APD.  

Social communication disorder

Social communication disorder is common among the people within the Autism spectrum and it is characterized by  difficulties with the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication. This means, people with such a condition struggle using communication practices in social situations. They also have trouble following rules of conversation and storytelling, including taking turns, rephrasing when misunderstood, and using appropriate verbal and nonverbal signals to regulate interactions.

Speech therapy can be extremely helpful in addressing such disorders through personalized and targeted interventions. Typically, they empower these individuals by enhancing their pragmatic language skills, conversational skills, and improving understanding of social contexts.

Speech Therapy Benefits

Speech therapy is a highly beneficial treatment for individuals of all ages. Let's explore the benefits of undergoing speech therapy.  

Improved communication skills

One of the main advantages of speech therapy is enhanced communication skills. SLPs assist children and adults in improving their speech clarity, articulation, and fluency through focused exercises. This way, they give people the skills and strategies they need to communicate clearly and confidently. 

Enhanced social skills

Another crucial benefit of speech therapy is how it can help individuals develop essential social skills. During therapy sessions, people learn how to strike up and keep a conversation, decipher social cues, and how to handle various social situations. These enhanced social skills allow them to form stronger connections and participate in social activities confidently. 

Increased confidence

A person's confidence and self-esteem might suffer when they struggle with speech and language disorders. Through speech therapy, they can overcome obstacles in a motivating and encouraging setting.

As they progress in speech therapy, they gain more control over language and communication, increasing confidence and self-esteem. People enjoy a revitalized sense of self-worth, which makes them more willing and excited to engage in social activities.  

Lifelong benefits

Speech therapy offers lifelong benefits that extend well beyond the therapy sessions, improving a person's overall quality of life. People can communicate better so they can successfully express their wants, feelings, and needs. 

Such lifelong benefits are especially emphasized in the early detection of speech and language disorders in children. This occurs as early detection can help children reach their full potential as they grow and develop. 

How Long Does Speech Therapy Take?

The amount of time one may need speech therapy depends on the age of the individual, type and severity of the speech disorder, frequency of therapy, and treatment of an underlying medical condition.

Some speech disorders improve with age—others require years of speech therapy. If a health condition like a stroke causes a speech disorder, the speech and language skills may improve as the person recovers.

Is Speech Therapy Worth It?

While the success rate of speech therapy and the amount it takes depends on the factors mentioned above, research shows it can be an effective treatment for helping children and adults develop their communication skills.

A 2011 study of children with speech or language difficulties shows that speech therapy had a significant positive effect. Another study looking at the impact of speech therapy on adults with aphasia after a stroke showed that this treatment is effective in treating these communication issues. 

The Bottom Line

Speech therapy is a highly effective treatment that addresses various speech and communication disorders in children and adults. From improving communication skills to increasing confidence, the benefits of speech therapy can transform lives.

If you're passionate about helping others and interested in the complexities of speech and language disorders, consider pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in communication sciences and disorders. This field offers a rewarding career path where you can significantly improve the lives of children and adults with these conditions. Take the first step today and take off on the adventure. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is speech therapy effective?

Yes, speech therapy is an effective treatment for helping children and adults develop their language and communication skills.

How do I know if I need speech therapy?

It might be helpful to consult a speech-language pathologist if you notice difficulty pronouncing words or being understood by others, engaging in conversations, and stuttering or stammering. 

Can speech therapy be done at home?

While speech therapy is most effective when supervised by a SLP, there are exercises and activities that can be done at home to support speech and language development. 

What age is best for speech therapy?

There isn't an age that is best for speech therapy, as anyone needing help with speech or language skills can benefit from it.