When we think of lisps or speech impediments, most of us think of kids. But, speech therapy is not just for children.
It is okay to reach out for assistance with communication, understanding, and comprehension. Here we will be talking about what speech therapy can do for you by Sydney speech pathologist, as well as why and how to get it done.
Speech therapy: What is it?
Speech therapy can occur in many ways depending on what disorder or goals you are trying to achieve. Speech therapy is a form of speech therapy that helps children and adults with their speech, language, or social skills.
A person who could benefit from speech pathology may have these symptoms:
- Difficulty communicating clearly
- Issues related to swallowing
- Difficulty stringing words together
- Difficulty in reading and writing
- Dry mouth
- Stuttering, lisps
- Chronic sore throat or vocal cord pain
When might an adult seek speech therapy?
Although speech difficulties can often be identified in childhood and continue into adulthood, there are many causes for speech therapy. An adult might need speech therapy for several reasons.
- Laryngeal cancer
- Dementia
- Oral cancer
- Brain injury
- Stroke
- Respiratory conditions
- Surgery
- Aging
- Autism
- Modification of the accent
These are not the only causes of speech problems that can develop later in life. Speech problems that were not corrected in childhood might still affect adults and cause them to seek therapy.
Speech and Language Disorders
Let us first look at the various types of speech and/or language disorders that may arise.
The first is, apraxia is a condition that causes brain impairment. Apraxia can develop after a stroke. It can make speaking difficult or impossible if the brain’s messages are not being received correctly.
Dysarthria could also be due to a malfunctioning brain. This is where the messages are being sent, but the brain responsible for controlling the muscles of the throat, lips, tongue, and face are damaged.
Aphasia is yet another disorder related to the brain. Aphasia is a condition in which a person has trouble understanding, speaking, and reading. Language skills are on one side, while attention and memory skills are on the other. One can cause problems, which can require speech therapy.
Speech Therapy for Adults
Speech therapy for adults can take many forms. Treatment can vary depending on the cause of your speech difficulties and what you are trying to achieve. Treatment options for adults in speech therapy include:
- Target Selection
- Contextual Utilisation
- Contrast Therapy
- Oral And Motor Therapy
Target selection refers specifically to the sounds that you may be having trouble with. Your speech therapist might only focus on the sounds that cause you difficulty. For instance, if you have difficulty pronouncing the “S” sound correctly, it could be a sign that your speech therapy is focusing solely on those sounds. Your speech therapist might spot a part or word in a sentence that is causing the disruption and will help you identify it.
Contextual Usage uses individual words as context for speech exercises. The process of breaking down words into easier parts can be used to help you re-learn or reinforce word structures after a brain injury.
Contrast therapies use words in pairs as a way to demonstrate their differences. One example of a pair a speech therapist could use in contrast therapy is “dough” and “show” or, “beat” and “feet.” Although they sound different, these words are often spelled the same. These pairs can help you with certain speech or language issues.
Oral-motor therapy works directly with the muscles of the mouth, face, and lips to improve speech and language skills. Speech therapists have tools and exercises that can be used to help strengthen and improve the muscles in the jaw, throat, tongue, tongue, or throat.
