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What are the Most Common Speech Therapy Techniques?

John Lister
John Lister

Speech therapy techniques are used are used to treat a variety of problems affecting the clarity of a person’s speech. The techniques vary depending on the particular problem. Most speech therapy is carried out on children, as the treatment is usually more effective while a patient’s speech is still developing.

There are three major types of problem which could require speech therapy techniques. Articulation involves difficulties producing sounds clearly enough for other people to understand what the speaker is saying. Fluency is when there are problems with the pattern of speech, most commonly in the form of a stutter. Resonance covers problems which affect the qualities of the voice’s sound, for example the volume or pitch. These problems can both distract the listener from the message being communicated, and may also cause physical pain to the speaker.

Language intervention is a type of speech therapy that often involves activities that encourage conversing.
Language intervention is a type of speech therapy that often involves activities that encourage conversing.

There are three main categories of speech therapy techniques. These do not necessarily match up with the three types of problems. The most appropriate technique will depend not only on the specific problem, but also its causes and the patient's personal circumstances.

The best known category is articulation therapy. This involves the therapist concentrating on explicitly teaching the patient how to produce particular sounds and syllables. This can include physical demonstrations of how to use the tongue and mouth for specific sounds. The exercises will usually be built into play techniques appropriate for the child’s age.

Articulation therapy is a speech therapy technique in which the therapist focuses on teaching particular sounds and syllables.
Articulation therapy is a speech therapy technique in which the therapist focuses on teaching particular sounds and syllables.

A second category is language intervention. This can appear much more play- and activity-based and less formal. The goal of such techniques is usually to encourage the child to talk more to help develop their language abilities. The therapist will then use this activity to make sure the child pronounces words correctly.

The final category is oral motor therapy. This is more of a physical exercise routine designed to develop the muscles in and around the mouth. These techniques are more appropriate where the speech problems are caused by a physical issue rather than underdeveloped skills. Some therapists will also use these techniques for problems which don’t necessarily involve speech issues, for example where a child has trouble with eating or swallowing.

Children with lisps or other speech disorders might need speech therapy.
Children with lisps or other speech disorders might need speech therapy.

The work of people who research and carry out speech therapy techniques, along with the underlying problems, is known by a variety of names internationally. The field is generally known as speech-language pathology, or SLP in North America. In the United Kingdom, speech and language therapy is a more common term, often with the acronym SALT. Australia simply calls it speech pathology.

Discussion Comments

Crispety

BrickBack-I started looking into to this when I noticed the company name on the bottom of my son’s articulation sheets.

I researched the company and sure enough is was the same thing that the therapist was using except the book only cost me around forty dollars while the therapy was almost $80 per half hour.

Once you research the tongue placement for articulation problems, the rest is easy. I think however, for more severe problems like cerebral palsy therapy requires a professional therapist because this type of language problem is more profound and difficult for the lay person to treat.

BrickBack

Mutsy-My son used to go to speech therapy and he would love it. I know that there is a company called Speechtx that offers free printable exercises for articulation and language.

It also offers a do it yourself therapeutic activities that you can share with your children if you do not have the money to have you child see a speech therapist.

These speech therapy techniques for children are similar to what you would actually see in a speech therapist’s office.

These speech therapy ideas can be done from your home in about ten to thirty minutes a day. I ordered stuff from Lingua systems which sells all kinds of speech therapy products for you to use in a classroom or home.

mutsy

There are many speech therapy ideas for children. Pediatric speech therapy is supposed to be fun and usually common speech therapy products are games.

A memory game that offers various opportunities for the child to pronounce the troubled sound is ideal. The child forgets that they are doing therapy and actually has fun.

There are also board games and card games that target the problematic sound. Speech activities are really numerous and you can even create additional activities once you have practiced the therapists recommended exercises.

I know my daughter’s speech therapist actually suggested that she get pixie sticks to strengthen her muscles in her mouth. She loved that speech therapy idea.

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    • Language intervention is a type of speech therapy that often involves activities that encourage conversing.
      By: photowahn
      Language intervention is a type of speech therapy that often involves activities that encourage conversing.
    • Articulation therapy is a speech therapy technique in which the therapist focuses on teaching particular sounds and syllables.
      By: Monkey Business
      Articulation therapy is a speech therapy technique in which the therapist focuses on teaching particular sounds and syllables.
    • Children with lisps or other speech disorders might need speech therapy.
      By: Vera Kuttelvaserova
      Children with lisps or other speech disorders might need speech therapy.
    • Articulation therapy may help people overcome speech problems.
      By: sakura
      Articulation therapy may help people overcome speech problems.
    • Practice giving presentations can help someone with speech issues.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Practice giving presentations can help someone with speech issues.