Speech therapy helps individuals regain or improve speech, language, voice, and swallowing abilities affected by medical conditions, injuries, or developmental delays. This guide covers who needs it, techniques, costs, and home exercises.
Who Needs Speech Therapy?
✔ Children –
- Speech delays (late talkers)
- Articulation disorders (lisp, stuttering)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Hearing impairment
✔ Adults –
- Stroke survivors (aphasia)
- Parkinson’s disease (weak voice)
- Brain injuries (cognitive-communication issues)
- Throat cancer (post-surgery voice rehab)
✔ Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) –
- Post-intubation recovery
- ALS, multiple sclerosis (MS)
What Does a Speech Therapist Do?
A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) assesses and treats:
| Area | Therapy Focus |
| Articulation | Correcting speech sounds (e.g., “r” or “s” sounds) |
| Fluency | Reducing stuttering/cluttering |
| Voice | Treating hoarseness, vocal nodules |
| Language | Improving vocabulary, grammar (expressive/receptive) |
| Cognitive-Communication | Memory, problem-solving after brain injury |
| Swallowing (Dysphagia) | Strengthening throat muscles, safe eating strategies |
Common Speech Therapy Techniques
For Children:
- Play-based learning(games, flashcards)
- Oral motor exercises(tongue stretches, blowing bubbles)
- Sign language/PECS(for nonverbal kids)
For Adults:
- Melodic Intonation Therapy(singing to regain speech post-stroke)
- Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT)(for Parkinson’s)
- Swallowing maneuvers(chin tuck, effortful swallow)
For Swallowing Issues:
- Modified diets(thickened liquids, soft foods)
- Electrical stimulation (e-stim)(for muscle activation)
Where is Speech Therapy Done?
- Hospitals(post-stroke, ICU recovery)
- Schools(IEP plans for kids)
- Private Clinics
- Online (Teletherapy)– Platforms like BetterSpeech, Expressable
- At Home– SLPs visit for mobility-limited patients
How Long Does Therapy Take?
- Kids:6 months–2 years (varies by severity)
- Adults:3–12 months (stroke recovery can take longer)
- Swallowing therapy:4–8 weeks (for mild dysphagia)
Progress depends on:
✔ Consistency (home practice is key!)
✔ Underlying condition (e.g., Parkinson’s is progressive)
Signs You or Your Child May Need Speech Therapy
Toddlers (by age 2):
- Says fewer than 50 words
- No two-word phrases (“want milk”)
School-Age Kids:
- Unclear speech (hard to understand after age 4)
- Struggles with reading/writing
Adults:
- Slurred speech after stroke
- Frequent choking on food/drinks
