what is speech therapy?

Speech-Language Therapy
The purpose of speech-language therapy is to enhance intentional communication via expression of ideas, obtaining desires, sharing information and interpersonal interaction.

Language is the means by which communication is achieved.Components of language include but are not limited to

• suntax...... sentence construction also called grammar (content)


• semantics...... i.e. meaning includes proverbs, humour etc.


• pragmatics i.e. use of language in social contexts alos enhanced by body orientation, facial expressions and gestures.

Therefore, speech therapy focuses around teaching the child what he or she
needs and also making use of language for communication.For the child who is not currently using words, language is still possible through other means. A child may be taught to use various ways of utilizing their language skills to convey meaning. These may consist of gestures, eye contact, facial expression, vocalizations or manual tools such as communication pictures/boards/books. These however are subject to discreetion of the therapist.
Oral-motor deficits are also addressed in speech-language tharapy. Since proper structure and function of the oral areas is necessary for speech and sound production, intervention to improve coordination, strength, movement of the lips, tongue, jaw and cheeks (both internally and externally) is required.

What causes speech and language problems?
Speech and language disorder is a common reason for speech/language problems in kids. This involves the following areas:
• Spoken language—delays and disorders in listening and speaking
• Written language—problems with reading, writing and spelling
• Arithmetic—trouble doing arithmetic or understanding basic concepts
• Reasoning—problems organizing and putting together thoughts
• Memory—problems remembering facts and instructions.

These kids may have trouble producing speech sounds, using spoken language to communicate, or understanding what other people say. Speech and language problems are often the earliest sign of other disorders.
• Hearing loss is often overlooked, and easily identified. If your child is speech/language delayed, their hearing should be tested.
• Mental retardation is described as below-average general intellectual function with associated deficits in adaptive behavior that can be seen in early years, common cause of speech and language delay.
• Autism, : diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) refers to a group of disorders characterized by delays in the development of socialization and communication skills. Parents may note symptoms as early as infancy, although the typical age of onset is before 3 years of age. Symptoms may include problems with using and understanding language; difficulty relating to people, objects, and events; unusual play with toys and other objects; difficulty with changes in routine or familiar surroundings, and repetitive body movements or behavior patterns. Children with PDD vary widely in abilities, intelligence, and behaviors. Some children do not speak at all, others speak in limited phrases or conversations, and some have relatively normal language development. Repetitive play skills and limited social skills are generally evident. Unusual responses to sensory information, such as loud noises and lights, are also common.

• Extreme environmental deprivation can cause speech delay. this also includes Children out of intercaste marriages under pressure to pick up both the langauges simultaneously!

• Premature births can lead to developmental delays, including speech/language problems.

• Neurological problems like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and traumatic brain injury can affect the muscles needed for speaking.

• Structural problems like cleft lip or cleft palate can also interfere with normal speech

.• Apraxia of speech is a specific speech disorder in which the child has difficulty in sequencing and executing speech movements.

• Selective mutism is also called funtional disorder at times when a child does not talk at all in certain situations.

If your child does not follow regular speech/language development milestones, you should talk to your pediatrician. or rehabilitation professional