Speech disorders have an effect on the way people create sounds. The sounds are what help in formation of words and are thus important for communicating with other people. Both adults and children can be affected with the conditions. Among the commonest disorders is stuttering. There however are others, including apraxia and dysarthria. There are various options of treatment of speech impairments in Houston TX.
For mild disorders, there may not be the need for treatment as some of them may go away on their own. Those that fail to improve will have to be treated using various forms of speech therapy. The form of therapy used is dependent on the type of disorder. Patients are guided through exercises which help to strengthen both face and throat muscles. Furthermore, the patients will learn how to control their breathing during speech. Muscle strengthening exercises and those that control breathing improve the way words sound.
There are persons that suffer from nervousness or depression that is as a result of embarrassment from speech disorders. Such situations can be corrected by talk therapy. This is whereby a mental healthcare specialist discusses ways to improve outlook of the condition plus ways to cope with the condition. Antidepressants are used in the case of severe conditions.
Language intervention activities are very effective too. Speech pathologists interact with children through the use of pictures, playing, using objects or through ongoing events. These help in stimulating language development. Speech skills are built using repetition exercises in which those affected are required to repeat certain words. Repetition of words makes one to be more confident when they speak.
With articulation therapy, the exercises used involve having therapists model the right sounds and syllables for the child. This is mostly done during play activities. The level of play used has to be appropriate for a given age group and should be related to the specific needs of the child. The child is physically shown how to make certain sounds, for instance the r sound. This may also be coupled with demonstrations of how to move the tongue for production of specific sounds.
Oral motor feeding and swallowing therapy is a form of therapy as well. A vast range of exercises are used by pathologists. These include facial massage and various jaw, tongue and lip exercises. Mouth muscles are strengthened by these exercises. Therapists also work with food and temperatures to increase oral awareness of the child as they eat and swallow.
Occupational and physical therapists offer sensory integration treatment. This starts with evaluating the individual to determine how sensitive they are. They then plan individualized programs that match sensory stimulation with physical movement. This helps in improving brain processes and organization of incoming information. This treatment includes such equipment as slides and swings. This mode of treatment allows children or adults with sensory integration difficulties to become more available for learning.
Different methods work differently for various people. The appropriate methods are used by speech pathologists for patients. There are instants that combinations of methods are used for achievement of better outcomes.
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