What is Speech/Language Therapy?
Speech-language pathologists specialize in working with children on the basics of communication: speech, language, and oral-motor skills.
Speech describes the way a child uses sounds to say his words. Problems with speech might include:
- Difficulty saying certain sounds
- Leaving sounds out of words
- Substituting sounds in words
- Poor intelligibility
- Frustration
Language describes the components of communication that children are expected to have mastered for their age level. Common issues related to language are:
- Limited vocabulary
- Poor comprehension of spoken or written language
- Social skills problems
- Behavior issues
Oral-motor skills involve the abilities of the muscles used for speech and swallowing.