Our pediatric services
Why might my child need Speech-Language Therapy?
Your child may need speech therapy if he or she has difficulty pronouncing sounds in words (speech/articulation) or has difficulty using words to communicate (language). Because the muscles and structures used for speech (lips, tongue, teeth, palate and throat) are also used in eating, a speech therapists (SLP) may also be needed to address feeding and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
Children who have developmental delays or special needs often need help to improve their language, speech, and communication skills. Children who cannot express their wants and needs can become frustrated and turn to inappropriate behaviors (hitting, biting, crying, throwing objects, temper tantrums, etc.). A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can help a child to become a successful communicator by working on:
Articulation: An SLP can help your child learn to produce sounds correctly so he or she can be clearly understood by others. Articulation problems can arise from muscle incoordination or structural (i.e. cleft palate) problem in the lips, tongue, and palate. Articulation difficulties can also be caused by motor planning and sequencing problem (apraxia of speech). In this case, the speech muscles do not get the proper signal from the brain to produce speech and do not work in the correct order. Articulation difficulties can be very frustrating for the child because they know exactly what they want to say. They just cannot say it.
Language: The SLP can help your child learn how to produce (expressive language) and understand (receptive language) spoken language. Language consists of vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure, and pragmatics. Pragmatics is the way that language is used. It includes the unspoken rules of language such as taking turns in a conversation, eye contact, and social interaction. Children with autism have difficulty with using language in a social context. Children who are typically developing are able to learn these unspoken rules easily. Children who have delays or developmental disabilities, however, often have a more difficulty learning the rules of language and how to use them.
Hearing Impairment: Because hearing is part of learning how to speak, children with hearing loss often have speech and language delays. In the past, sign language was the primary option for a hearing impaired person. However, with the advancement of hearing technology (hearing aids and cochlear implants), children with hearing impairment can learn to listen and speak with auditory-verbal therapy provided by a speech-language pathologist. “The Earlier, the Better” is the motto for successful communication for children with hearing impairment.
Stuttering: While it is normal for preschoolers who are acquiring language to repeat some words and syllables, atypical dysfluencies (stuttering) are disruptions in speech that make a child struggle to speak smoothly. Stuttering can range from mild to severe and can include part- and whole-word repetitions, sound repetitions, and silent “blocks”. Secondary characteristics can include eye blinking, lip tremors, tongue clicking, arm/hand flapping, avoidance behaviors, etc. Fluency techniques are taught by a speech-language pathologist to help the child speak more smoothly. For severe cases of stuttering in children over the age of 7, the child may also benefit from an assistive device called a SpeechEasy paired with traditional therapy.
Voice disorders: Children who have frequent laryngitis or hoarseness may be using vocally abusive behaviors such as yelling, talking too loud, or talking at a pitch that is not appropriate for their voice. These behaviors can damage the vocal chords causing vocal chord nodules or other voice disorders. The SLP can help the child learn to speak with good vocal hygiene through various strategies and behavior modifications.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication: For children that are unable to talk, the SLP can assist in finding an alternative means of communication that will work best for the child and family. (ie. sign language, assistive communication devices, etc.) The SLP works with an Occupational and a Physical Therapist, when needed, to be sure the child has the fine motor and visual skills and appropriate seating and positioning for use of the assistive device.
Having a child with a communication delay or disorder can be frustrating for the child and for the parent. A speech-language pathologist can help you increase your child’s communication skills and provide environmental adaptations to help facilitate successful communication. There are many things that parents and family members can do to help children grow and learn; your speech-language pathologist will help teach you what you can do to help your child acquire the skills that he or she needs. Working together can help your child succeed in communicating. If you are unsure about the rate your child is developing speech and language skills, you should contact your pediatrician or a certified speech-language pathologist to assess your child’s abilities.
