Speech Therapy Techniques

What is speech therapy?

As individuals age, the acquisition and refinement of speech and language skills become integral for effective communication, academic success, and social interaction. However, for many children, these milestones are hindered by difficulty in articulation, language impairment, or speech disorders.

Around 7.7% of U.S. children aged 3-17, or about 1 in 12, experience a disorder affecting voice, speech, language, or swallowing. Among these, developmental language disorder is particularly common, affecting approximately 7% of children, or 1 in 14. (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 2024). These significantly impact children's overall development and future opportunities.

Speech therapy is a vital process that aims to enhance communication skills and address a range of speech and language disorders, from minor issues like hoarseness to more severe conditions such as partial speech loss caused by brain injury, often complemented by additional medical or psychological interventions (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, 2020). It is also known as speech and language therapy, which requires it to be conducted or supervised by a licensed therapist or speech-language pathologist. 

Addressing these issues early through speech therapy enhances communication skills. It establishes confidence and independence in individuals, enabling them to navigate daily tasks, educational pursuits, and social interactions with greater ease and success.

What problems can speech therapy address?

Speech therapy significantly addresses communication barriers, especially considering the prevalence of speech and language disorders. It's instrumental in managing various issues impacting children and adults, such as:

Speech disorders

People with these disorders struggle to produce speech sounds or speak clearly. Children may have pronunciation difficulties like lisps, while adults, including those with neurological conditions, may also face comprehension challenges due to speech disorders. Moreover, fluency disorders, such as stuttering or cluttering, affect the smoothness of speech, causing interruptions like silent pauses or repetitions in speech patterns.

Language disorders

Language disorders can be categorized based on their impact on pragmatics, semantics, or grammar. Pragmatic language disorders affect social reciprocity and appropriate communication in children, while semantic disorders involve difficulties understanding vocabulary or conveying intended meanings. Grammatical deficits enclose challenges in understanding word endings or complex sentence structures, affecting comprehension and expression in children with these disorders.

Voice disorders

A voice disorder (dysphonia) involves persistent changes in voice quality, such as hoarseness, strain, or weakness, often caused by factors like overuse, improper breathing, vocal cord issues, or psychological factors like depression.

Speech Therapy Techniques

In therapy sessions, speech-language pathologists or therapists create a supportive environment for patients to feel comfortable and inspired to improve. We've curated ten speech therapy interventions to jumpstart your progress. These techniques offer diverse approaches and provide a comprehensive starting point for therapy sessions. 

1. Articulation therapy

Articulation therapy targets speech clarity by working on speech sounds an individual struggles with. Speech therapists help patients produce sounds accurately through targeted exercises and drills.

2. Language intervention

Language intervention addresses difficulties in understanding and using language. This employs visual aids, picture cards, storytelling, and interactive activities to improve vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and expressive language skills.

3. Fluency shaping techniques

Fluency shaping techniques aim to reduce disfluencies such as stuttering by modifying speech patterns. Techniques may include slow and deliberate speech, easy onset of sounds, and smooth transitions between words.

4. Voice therapy

Voice therapy focuses on improving the voice's quality, pitch, volume, and resonance. You can use exercises to strengthen vocal muscles, correct vocal misuse habits, and promote vocal hygiene. The technique enhances vocal clarity and reduces strain or hoarseness in speech.

5. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

AAC techniques supplement or replace traditional speech for individuals with severe communication impairments. Methods include picture communication boards, devices, and sign language, providing alternative means of expressing thoughts and ideas.

6. Oral motor exercises

Oral motor exercises target the muscles used in speech production to improve coordination and strength. Blowing bubbles and tongue and lip strengthening exercises help patients develop better control over articulatory movements, leading to more explicit speech.

7. Social skills training

Social skills training focuses on improving pragmatic language skills necessary for successful social interaction. Therapists teach turn-taking, active listening, interpreting nonverbal cues, and initiating and maintaining conversations, enabling individuals to navigate social situations more effectively.

8. Phonological awareness activities

Phonological awareness activities help patients understand the sound structure of language. They improve their phonological processing skills through rhyming games, syllable segmentation tasks, and sound blending exercises.

9. Cognitive-communication therapy

Cognitive communication therapy addresses communication difficulties resulting from cognitive impairments. The focus is working on memory, attention, problem-solving, and organization skills. Despite cognitive challenges, these methods enable patients to communicate and participate effectively in daily activities.

10. Swallowing therapy

Swallowing therapy focuses on improving swallowing function. You can employ exercises that strengthen swallowing muscles, modify food textures and consistencies, and teach swallowing strategies to lessen the risk of aspiration or choking. This improves the safety of eating and drinking.

What are the benefits of speech therapy?

Speech therapy addresses language and speech challenges, providing targeted support for patients to communicate effectively. Here are some benefits of this therapy:

Improved communication skills

Speech therapy helps patients, particularly children, overcome expressive and receptive language disorders. It enables them to articulate thoughts clearly and understand others, enhancing their ability to engage in conversations.

Enhanced confidence

Speech therapy boosts self-esteem by addressing speech impediments and improving clarity and sentence structure. This newfound confidence empowers patients to communicate fluently and assertively in personal and professional settings.

Better academic performance

For children with developmental language delays, speech therapy supports critical language skills needed for learning. It improves comprehension, expression, and participation in classroom activities, setting the foundation for academic success.

Stronger social connections

Speech therapy develops age-appropriate communication skills, making it easier for patients to form meaningful relationships. It also enhances their ability to participate in group interactions and community activities.

Increased independence and quality of life

By improving communication abilities, speech therapy equips patients with the skills needed for everyday tasks, fostering greater independence. It reduces barriers in social and professional environments, enhancing overall quality of life and personal fulfillment.

References

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG). (2020, August 12). What is speech therapy? InformedHealth.org. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561506/#

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2024, March 24). Quick statistics about voice, speech, language. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-voice-speech-language