7 Common Speech Disorders and How Speech Therapy Can Help

1
7 Common Speech Disorders and How Speech Therapy
Can Help
Did you know that according to the
Speech-Language-Hearing Association,
approximately 1 in 12 children in the india have
a speech disorder? That's over 6 million children
who struggle with communication skills that are
essential for success in school and life. Speech
disorders can have a significant impact on a
person's daily life, impacting their ability to
communicate effectively and ultimately hindering
social, academic, and professional success.
However, with the help of speech therapy, people
with speech disorders can overcome these
challenges and develop better communication
skills. Speech therapy by a licensed speech
therapist from the Speech Therapy App Leading up
to the session, we'll take a closer look at the
various products and services that can help you
in your speech therapy process. Here's a
breakdown of how speech therapy can help
individuals with each of the 7 common speech
disorders and some examples of speech therapy
techniques that may be used
Articulation Disorders This type of disorder
involves difficulty with producing certain sounds
or pronouncing words correctly. Speech therapy
can help individuals improve their articulation
skills by practicing specific sounds and learning
techniques to help them position their tongue and
lips correctly. For example, a speech therapist
may use tongue twisters, mirror exercises, or
visual cues to help a person with an articulation
disorder.
Fluency Disorders Stuttering and other fluency
disorders involve disruptions in the flow of
speech. Speech therapy can help individuals with
fluency disorders by teaching them strategies to
help control their breathing and slow down their
speech, as well as techniques to reduce anxiety
and build confidence when speaking. For example,
a speech therapist may use breathing exercises,
relaxation techniques, or desensitization
activities to help a person with a fluency
disorder.
Voice Disorders This type of impairment includes
problems with the quality, pitch, or volume of a
person's voice. Speech therapy can help people
with speech disorders by teaching techniques to
improve speech and reduce strain on the vocal
cords. For example, speech therapists can help
people with speech disorders using vocal
exercises, speech therapy, or counseling. Language
Disorders This type of disorder involves
difficulty with understanding or expressing
language. Speech therapy can help people with
language disorders by teaching strategies to
improve
2
language comprehension and expression, techniques
to increase vocabulary, and improve the ability
to use grammar and syntax correctly. For example,
a speech therapist may use language drills,
storytelling, or role-playing activities to help
a person with a language disorder.
Pragmatic Disorders This type of disorder
involves difficulty with using language
appropriately in social situations. Speech
therapy can help individuals with pragmatic
disorders by teaching them social communication
skills, such as turn-taking, topic maintenance,
and nonverbal communication. For example, a
speech therapist may use social stories, video
modeling, or peer feedback to help a person with
a pragmatic disorder.
Cognitive-Communication Disorders This type of
disability includes cognitive deficits in memory,
attention, and problem-solving that make it
difficult to use language effectively in everyday
situations. Speech therapy can help people with
cognitive-communication disorders by teaching
compensatory strategies to help them communicate
more effectively and techniques to improve
cognitive function. For example, a speech
therapist may use mnemonics, visual cues, or
problem-solving activities to help someone with a
cognitive communication disorder.
Apraxia of Speech This type of disorder involves
difficulty with planning and coordinating the
movements necessary for speech. Speech therapy
can help individuals with apraxia of speech by
teaching them exercises to help them improve
their motor planning skills and coordination of
the muscles used for speech. For example, a
speech therapist may use sound production
exercises, oral motor exercises, or gesture cues
to help a person with apraxia of speech.
Here are some important factors to consider when
choosing a product or service related to speech
therapy for speech disorders
Cost Consider the cost of the product or service
and whether it is covered by insurance. Speech
therapy can be expensive, so it's important to
find products and services that fit your
budget. Convenience Consider whether the product
or service is convenient for you or your child's
schedule. For example, speech therapy apps can be
used at any time, while in-person speech therapy
sessions require scheduling appointments.
3
Accessibility Consider whether the product or
service is accessible to you or your child. For
example, if you live in a rural area, in-person
speech therapy sessions may not be readily
available, so a speech therapy app may be a
better option.
Effectiveness Consider whether the product or
service is effective in treating the specific
speech disorder. To determine the effectiveness
of a product or service, look for reviews and
testimonials from other users, or consult a
licensed speech therapist. Age Appropriateness
Consider whether the product or service is
age-appropriate for the individual with the
speech disorder. Some products and services may
be geared towards children, while others may be
more suitable for adults.
Engagemen t Level Consider whether the product
or service is engaging and enjoyable for the
individual with the speech disorder. Speech
therapy can be challenging and may require a lot
of practice, so finding a product or service that
is engaging can help maintain motivation and
improve outcomes.
Additional Support Consider whether the product
or service provides additional support or
resources, such as access to a licensed
speech-language pathologist or a community of
other individuals with speech disorders. Having
access to additional support can help with the
speech therapy process and improve
outcomes. Remember that speech disorders can
seriously affect a person's daily life, impair
their ability to communicate effectively, and
ultimately hinder their social, academic, and
professional success. However, speech therapy has
been shown to be an effective treatment for many
types of speech disorders. By seeking help and
working with a licensed speech-language
pathologist or using speech therapy products and
services, individuals with speech disorders can
overcome these challenges and develop better
communication skills.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a
speech disorder, it is important to seek help and
research the various products and services
related to speech therapy. Cost, Convenience,
Accessibility, Effectiveness, Age Please take the
time to research and select the product or
service that best meets your unique needs,
considering factors such as suitability,
commitment, and additional support. Remember, the
earlier speech disorders are identified and
treated, the better the outcome. So don't be
afraid to ask for help and take steps to improve
your communication skills.