Speech therapy is the most sought-after treatment for problems related to speaking, language, and swallowing. However, it is pretty hard to determine who requires it since most of the time; we tend to ignore speech-related issues believing they will get better over time. Speech disorders may stem out from physical or psychological problems. Many times they also occur due to childhood environment. Regardless of the multiple factors, to better understand who is the most suitable candidate for speech therapy, it is beneficial to learn about this therapy in detail.
Here’s a brief introduction to speech therapy-
What is Speech Therapy?
Many people develop speech and language disorders that are cured or improved using the methodological approaches of speech therapy. It is a rehabilitative procedure focusing on improving communicational disorders and swallowing problems. A speech-language pathologist, or speech therapist, is a clinician who helps such patients regain their communication skills.
How to Recognize Speech Disorders?
We speak by making sounds and combining them to create words. If anyone has problems doing this, they have a speech disorder. For instance, if someone stutters and stammers while speaking normally, they have a problem connecting their speech with rhythm and timing.
You can recognize speech problems by observing the following factors-
- The use of voice
- The use of intonation
- The rhythm and timing of speech
What are the Causes of Speech Disorders?
Single or multiple physical or psychological factors can cause speech disorders. Patients who have been in a rehabilitation home to recover from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or progressive neurological diseases can generate speech disorders. These situations affect their abilities to comprehend and produce speech. While it may not cure the conditions in some severe cases, speech therapy can significantly improve a patient’s communication skills and ability to eat, drink, and swallow safely.
What Challenges are Cured in Speech Therapy?
- Communicational disorders-
- Stammering
- Voice disorders
- Language disorders
- Aphasia
- Articulation disorders
- Neurogenic speech and swallowing disorders-
- Dysarthria
- Apraxia of speech
- Dysphagia
- Aphasia
- Psychological, emotional, and behavioral-based communication disorders-
- Hyperactivity
- Autism
- Anxiety, depression, phobia
- Paranoia
- Feeding and swallowing disorders: Speech therapists also address feeding and swallowing issues. A team of occupational therapists, behavioral analysts, and medical professionals help assess the patient with medical, behavioral, and oral-motor components of eating.
Why is Speech Therapy Essential?
Speech and language disabilities in children and adults can significantly affect their way of living. Along with communication skills, it can also affect their ability to understand and process information. Most speech disorders deal with fluency, voice clarity, and quality. Establishing effective communication is paramount to everyone, and speech therapy helps effectively build up a patient’s confidence.
About Cornerstone at the Ranch
Cornerstone at the Ranch is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility located in Lafayette, Louisiana, providing physical, occupational, and speech therapy, 24-hour nursing, dietary services, and social services. Our nursing staff is highly experienced and carries out their duties with loving care. They are our biggest strength and the reason behind the quick recovery of most of our residents.
You can call us at (337) 981-5335 or fill out our contact form to schedule a tour of our center.