What Is Speech-Language
Therapy?
Speech-language therapy is the treatment of speech and/or language
disorders. A speech disorder refers to difficulty with sound production, whereas a language disorder is a
problem communicating with or comprehending words.
Speech and Language Disorders According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association , the foundation of clinical issues in speech-language pathology at the (www.asha.org, 2004), speech disorders include:
- Articulation disorders
are the inability to correctly produce speech sounds (phonemes) in words and may include omissions,
distortions or substitution of sounds.
- Fluency disorders include problems such as stuttering, frequent disruptions in the flow and rate of verbal expression, sometimes accompanied by secondary
struggle and tension in speech-related structures. Blocks, interjections, repetitions, or prolonging sounds are all characteristics
of stuttering.
- Voice disorders
are caused by problems in the larynx (voice box) and are associated with different
conditions including: neurological disorders such as nerve damage, organic disorders such as cancer or trauma, and misuse/abuse
of the voice which causes nodules or polyps.
Language disorders consist of two categories: receptive or expressive. Receptive disorders occur when
children have difficulties understanding language. Expressive disorders include difficulty putting words together,
limited vocabulary, or inability to use language in a socially appropriate way.
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