Different Speech Therapy Approaches

Table of Contents

Introduction

Whether due to a disorder or otherwise, speech and language difficulties can affect how a person communicates, expresses thoughts, interacts and builds social connections. It could be a child with a speech delay or someone who struggles to speak clearly after an illness or injury. Speech issues look different for everyone based on the cause and their individual strength. This is why speech-language pathologists or therapists use different types of speech therapy, centred around a person's specific communication needs.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a form of treatment therapy method that addresses difficulties with speech, language, communication, based on relevance even swallowing can be a concern and will be addressed in speech therapy. A speech-language pathologist decides on the goals of speech therapy after assessing the specific speech and language challenges and plans intervention around personalised needs. Depending on the concern, speech therapy techniques typically focus on producing sounds clearly, speaking fluently, developing control in facial muscles, enhancing language skills, and so on.

What are the Different Types of Speech Therapy?

Speech-language pathologists choose from or combine different speech therapy types based on how a person's ability to speak, understand, communicate, and use oral motor functions can be enhanced. The different categories include:

Articulation Therapy

Articulation therapy targets pronunciation of different sounds clearly. Speech therapists use multiple techniques by first understanding the errors made in pronunciation. They may use phonetic repetitions, visual feedback, work on the tactile feedback, and incorporate oro-motor exercises. The therapy starts with practising how a sound is pronounced in isolation and gradually transitions into using it in words and sentences.

Fluency Therapy

Fluency therapy helps with continuity and flow of speech to make it comprehensible for the listener. Such issues are generally due to stops or blocks in the speech patterns which leads to stuttering. In this type of therapy, the SLP may work on speech rate, breathing patterns, pacing, and prolongation.

Voice Therapy

Some individuals may suffer with pitch, quality, loudness, and tone of their voice. Particular issues involve hoarseness, strain, or inconsistent projection of loudness in the voice. Voice therapy helps with these issues through exercises that help in strengthening vocal cords, speech rhythm, oral muscles, increasing their loudness and pitch, improving their voice quality and overall vocal function.

Language Therapy

Through language therapy, SLPs address difficulties with understanding and using language. They focus on building vocabulary, forming sentences, comprehension, self-expression, and grammar skills. Different techniques are used based on the developmental language difficulties.

Cognitive-Communication Therapy

Communication is also affected by cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, memory, critical thinking, attentiveness, etc. Cognitive-communication therapy addresses how these abilities affect a person's understanding and communication and works on them by collaborating with a psychologist.

Oral Motor Therapy

Weak or stiff oral muscles can also affect clarity in speech and other oral-motor activities such as blowing, sucking, eating, drinking, and swallowing. Hence, oral motor therapy focuses on the movement and coordination of lips, tongue, jaw, and other structures involved in speech and oral functions. It involves the incorporation of exercises that improve movement and coordination of oral muscles in speech production and flexibility of the mouth.

How to Choose the Goals of Therapy?

In most cases, the speech-language pathologist will choose the right approach or goals of speech therapy based on the assessment of the person's age, speech, language, communication, and related needs.

You can help them make the decision based on the following factors:

Highlight the Primary Concern

Understanding the core issue helps identify the right approach to speech-language therapy. Difficulty pronouncing sounds is addressed with articulation therapy, while problems with voice projection require voice therapy. Similarly, stuttering, lisp, cognitive-communication problems, etc. can be matched with appropriate speech therapy interventions.

Consider the Underlying Cause

Speech and communication difficulties often result from developmental conditions, neurological disorders, injury, or other health conditions. An assessment of these causes helps the SLP target the therapy based on the nature of difficulty, rather than treating only the visible symptom. For example, the approach of speech therapy for autism would differ from the approaches for speech issues due to cleft lip, brain injury, deafness, or other conditions.

Mention Everyday Communication Needs

How speech and language difficulty affect your child's or close family member's daily life is critical in deciding the right type of therapy. For example, an SLP may consider whether the person struggles to communicate at home, school, work, or in social situations to plan therapy goals. Specific concerns are addressed based on communication needs rather than isolated skills.

Choose an SLP with Relevant Expertise

SLPs may work across different specialisations based on their area of expertise and experience. Look for a multi-disciplinary expert or specialists in specific areas like articulation, language, fluency, voice, etc. With relevant experience, they are in a better position to address specific communication challenges with evidence-backed speech disorder treatment methods.

Factor in Age and Developmental Stage

The goals and techniques used for a young child may not be as useful for an adult due to different motivations and developmental phases and concerns in communication. Hence, accounting for age is a crucial part of choosing an SLP and the right speech therapy technique. A consultation can reveal a lot about a therapist and their individualised approach for individuals at varied developmental stages.

Speech Therapy for Children vs Adults

Speech therapy techniques are used differently for children and adults who need support for speech, language, fluency, articulation, voice, and oral motor functions.

Some of the key differences in how speech therapy is approached include:

Who Needs Speech Therapy?

You can decide if you, your child, or any other family member needs speech therapy in the following cases:

• Delayed Speech or Language: Most children start forming their first meaningful words close to the 1-year. If the speech is delayed beyond 1.5 years with the lack of words during communicating their needs, instead uses gestures and with limited speech output they need to seek the help of an SLP.
• Unclear Speech: Difficulty in producing certain words or being understood by others may require an assessment.
• Stutter or Lisp: Prolonged words and struggling with pronunciation due to a lisp or stutter are addressed through fluency therapy methods.
• Neurological conditions: If speech is affected by stroke, brain injury, dementia, and other neurological conditions, an SLP can help restore their functional communication through speech therapy.
• Complex communication needs: Neurodivergent or developmental conditions can also lead to difficult or inconsistent speech and language, where they need to visit an SLP.
• People with swallowing or feeding difficulties: As established, SLPs also provide therapy for oral motor functions that are affected by birth or due to oral cancer or other facial trauma.

Benefits of Speech Therapy Techniques

As pronunciation, voice clarity, language, articulation, and oral motor skills are improved through speech therapy, it helps individuals in the following ways:

Better Socialisation

Difficulty associated with making conversation with speech and language challenges is resolved. Hence, the frustration with everyday interactions is reduced, making it easier for individuals to participate in conversations and maintain social connections.

Independent Communication

Communication skills are critical to how we express basic needs, preferences, questions, concerns, and opinions, without depending on others. Speech therapy helps restore this control, which may have been affected due to speech or language challenges.

Boost in Confidence

Repeated difficulty being understood can lead to hesitancy in speaking or participating in public settings. As speech therapy helps make communication more manageable, individuals approach interactions more confidently.

Enhanced Expression

With consistent efforts, people can communicate their thoughts, emotions, ideas, and needs more effectively. For example, someone with language difficulties can better express their thoughts after working on improving vocabulary, sentence formation, comprehension, and fluency.

Improved Quality of Life

Poor speech and communication can affect a person's relationships, education, work, and everyday decision-making. Adequate speech therapy support can work on the problem areas to help individuals improve in these key areas.

At-Home Support for Speech Therapy

Regardless of the type of speech therapy, SLPs often advise carrying out the exercises and strategies beyond the session. Based on the therapist's recommendation, here's how speech therapy can be integrated into everyday routines:

• Imitation techniques, interaction with family, play-based learning, and visual or memory-based games for children
• A positive environment to help individuals practise what they've learnt during therapy sessions
• Speech, oral motor, and language exercises as advised by the speech-language therapist
• Accessible communication support through devices, pictures, and tools recommended by the therapist
• Supportive and encouraging attitude to improve motivation in individuals undergoing speech therapy

Right Therapy with the Right Assessment

As established, speech therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether it is articulation, fluency, voice, or oral motor function, the right intervention depends on the person's specific needs and goals. Hence, choosing an SLP who can assess these concerns correctly and devise an individualised plan is important. Speech therapy is also combined with other modalities based on the underlying cause. For neurological and developmental conditions, a hospital for mental health can offer holistic treatment. Get professional guidance and appropriate support for your speech therapy needs at Maarga Mindcare.

FAQs

What are the different types of speech therapy?

Common types of speech therapy include articulation, fluency, voice, language, oral-motor, and cognitive-communication.

Which type of therapy is best for speech delay?

Language or articulation therapy may help with speech delay, based on the cause of the delay. An SLP can identify the appropriate approach after assessment.

What is the difference between articulation and language therapy?

Articulation therapy focuses on producing sounds clearly, while language therapy works on understanding and using words and sentences. Both approaches include different goals.

What is AAC therapy used for?

AAC, or Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is a speech therapy technique that involves the use of alternative or additional ways to improve speech, such as signs, pictures, communication boards, and speech-generating devices.

Can a person need more than one type of speech therapy?

Yes, an SLP may combine different types of speech therapy when a person has more than one communication or oral-motor function difficulty.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical consultation. Insomnia treatment results vary from person to person. Please consult a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist for personalised care. If you or your loved one is struggling with Insomnia, reach out to Maarga Mind Care – a trusted psychiatric hospital in India. Our experts can help you start your journey to recovery.