What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a treatment that helps you speak and use language better. It improves your ability to express yourself, understand others, and enhance skills like memory and problem-solving. You’ll work with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) to create exercises and treatments tailored to your needs.

Who Needs Speech Therapy?

You may need speech therapy if you have difficulty:

* Communicating or expressing yourself
* Understanding language
* Using your voice effectively
* Speaking fluently
* Communicating clearly and expressively

How to Know if You Need Speech Therapy

Your healthcare provider may recommend screening tests if they suspect you have a speech disorder. These tests will determine the cause of your communication issues. For example, if your child struggles with communication, they may be referred to an audiologist for a hearing test.

What Does Speech Therapy Treat?

Speech therapy can help with various communication disorders, including:

* Aphasia: Difficulty with language after stroke or injury
* Apraxia: Difficulty forming words
* Articulation disorders: Difficulty pronouncing sounds
* Cognitive-communication disorders: Issues with thinking and communication
* Dysarthria: Slow or slurred speech due to weak muscles
* Expressive disorders: Difficulty getting words out
* Fluency disorders: Disruptions in speech rhythm (e.g., stuttering, cluttering)
* Receptive disorders: Difficulty understanding language
* Resonance disorders: Conditions that affect oral or nasal cavities, altering speech