Speech Therapy

Each patient’s outcome and treatment plan will vary depending on individual abilities and disabilities. Speech therapy techniques may include:

  • Signing
  • Picture boards or picture exchange communication systems
  • Electronic alternative/augmentative communication systems
  • Strengthening of speech muscles
  • Improving specific speech sounds to aid intelligibility
  • Building auditory processing skills with modalities like Integrated Listening Systems

Speech Therapy can provide treatment and support for those who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking or swallowing. The goal of speech therapy is to improve speech and language skills in order to improve the quality of life for each individual so that they can understand and be understood. Some benefits of speech therapy include:

  • Improvement in the ability to understand and express thoughts, ideas and feelings
  • Intelligible speech so your child is understood by others
  • Increased ability to problem-solve in an independent environment
  • Improved swallowing function and safety
  • Achievement of school readiness skills
  • Development of pre-literacy skills
  • Improved vocal quality
  • Fluent speech
  • Development of practical social skills
  • Better quality of life
  • Greater self-esteem
  • Increased independence

Therapy should be done in a way that most encourages carry-over of skills to the home. Therefore, depending on the age of the child, speech therapy can look like play or work. Requesting, labeling, and answering questions are easily incorporated into play. Other times, it is necessary to teach skills in an environment with minimal distractors, and seated work at a table is best. No matter the location, speech therapy should focus on functionality. It is important that the skills we teach in a session improve a patient’s ability to function at home, in the community, and/or at school. A patient who is able to communicate with his friends, answer a teacher’s question, use speech that everyone can understand, understand directions, and request his wants and needs is our goal.