Understanding Speech Therapy: What It Is & How It Works
What Is Speech Therapy? Speech therapy is a specialized field dedicated to diagnosing and treating communication disorders. A speech therapist is a trained professional who helps individuals overcome challenges related to speaking, listening, understanding language, and swallowing. Speech therapy can benefit people of all ages, from young children developing language skills to older adults recovering from strokes. How Does Speech Therapy Work? The process begins with an assessment conducted by a speech and language therapist . This evaluation helps identify the specific challenges a person is facing, whether it’s articulation issues, fluency problems, or voice disorders. The therapist then designs a personalized treatment plan to address these needs. For example, children who struggle with speech sounds may work on specific exercises to improve their pronunciation. Adults dealing with speech impairments due to neurological conditions, like dysarthria , might focus on strengthening the...