Speech/language therapy can be an integral part of treatment
for many children with special needs. Any speech, language,
or feeding impairment can have far-reaching consequences,
affecting every aspect of a child’s life, including learning,
play, and interactions with family and friends. At The Therapy
Place, speech therapists treat a variety of communication
and feeding issues.
Speech
Children may have difficulty pronouncing words. There may
be a variety of reasons, including:
- Articulation Disorder: The child has a problem pronouncing
a particular sound or a few sounds. - Phonological Disorder: The child has difficulty understanding
the sound system itself and the speech rules. - Oral-Motor Deficits: The child shows deficits in strength
and movement of the jaw, lips, tongue, and cheeks. - Apraxia: The child has difficulty coordinating oral
muscles to make a sound or string of sounds. - Stuttering: Disruptions or breaks in the smooth flow
of speech.
Language
Language refers to the content of what is spoken, written,
read, or understood. It is categorized into two areas: receptive
and expressive language. Receptive language is the ability
to comprehend someone else’s speech or gestures. Problems
with receptive language may include difficulty understanding
vocabulary, concepts, sequences, directions, and conversations.
Expressive language is the ability to create a message that
others will understand. A child who has difficulty expressing
him or herself may be taught to utilize a variety of communication
modes such as speech, manual sign, gestures, pictures, facial
expressions, or communication devices. The speech therapist
will evaluate which mode is most effective for the child.
Pragmatic Language
Pragmatic language refers to how an individual socially uses
language to communicate with others. Breakdowns in pragmatic
language may include issues with the following skills: verbal
turn-taking, maintaining a topic, listening to a conversational
partner, using eye contact and facial expressions, taking
the perspective of others, and expressing feelings in a socially
appropriate manner.