What is Speech-Language Therapy?

Communication is most often achieved by language. Speech-language therapy’s purpose is to improve communication through interpersonal interaction, idea expression, obtaining desires, and sharing information. Speech-language therapy is used as treatment for many children with language or speech disorders. A language disorder refers to a child’s difficulty in comprehending or putting words together to communicate effectively. A speech disorder refers to a child’s difficulty with the production of sounds.

Speech-language therapy addresses oral-motor skills. Speech and sound production; and intervention to improve strength, movement, coordination, and placement of the tongue, lips, jaw, and cheeks rely on the proper function and structure of the oral areas. Speech-language therapy also delves into cognitive reorganization and other technical areas.

Children with communication disorders are assisted by speech-language pathologist in various ways. The SLP provides the child with individual therapy; confers with the child’s teacher to determine the most effective methods to assist the child’s communication in school; and works with the family to create goals and procedures for successful therapy at home and at school.