Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is one of the rehabilitative health sciences, since it utilizes behavioral methods of intervention. These may be used by themselves, or along with medical intervention. It is, thus, strongly recommended for persons with stammering, voice problems, unclear speech, loss of speech/ language post neurological insult, or for children, with language delays or deficits.

The above problems would broadly be divisible into speech disorders, and language disorders. Thus if a person has stuttering/ stammering, or a hoarse voice, or slurred speech, the speech therapist guides him/ her through the use of certain exercises and techniques to improve his/her speech. This, of course, also goes a long way in increasing the person’s confidence, something that had diminished gradually as the speech problem emerged or worsened!

Intervention in language disorders is usually a more long term process. After an initial assessment of language abilities, the speech therapist works on the lacunae, with co-operation and support from the person’s significant others. The goal, of course, is to make the person independent enough to carry out at least basic transactions and communicate needs.

The above mentioned speech and language disorders may be seen in adults as well as children. Thus, the speech therapist also forms a part of the intervention team for children with autism, learning disabilities, mental sub normality, hearing loss or cleft lip and palate.