Speech Therapy Can Make a Difference in a Professional Setting
Having a speech disorder as a child can affect a person for the rest of their life. It is imperative that a child who suffers from a speech disorder get the help they need as soon as possible. This is where speech therapy comes into play — taught at the earliest moments in a child’s memory. Speech therapists, otherwise known as speech-language pathologists (SLPs), are trained specialists with a masters in speech-language pathology, who are certified to diagnose and treat speech and swallowing disorders. SLPs typically help children, whose disorders develop as they begin to learn how to talk. This means that a speech therapist may be the reason why a child with a speech disorder grows up to be healthy and successful. It is not an over exaggeration to say that speech therapy changes lives. Here’s why.
Types of Disorders
Speech disorders can be detected beginning at two years old. They are caused by a number of factors, ranging from brain damage and respiratory weakness to autism and ADHD. Some speech disorders are hereditary, while others are situational. Symptoms of a speech disorder include stuttering, elongating words, frequently pausing or making jerky movements while speaking, and visible frustration when attempting to communicate. While some of these symptoms are easier to spot than others, it is still important to get a diagnosis. Some disorders may require no treatment, while others may require a significant amount of treatment over several years. The key is to catch it early–the sooner a disorder is treated, the less likely a child is to become psychologically impacted by having difficulty communicating.
Communication
It is a crucial part of a child’s developing years to become a clear communicator. A speech disorder can hinder this process, and the child may come to believe no one listens to them or understands them. They may even give up on speaking altogether, which is why speech therapy can be so vital. SLPs can help your child learn to collect their thoughts and state them clearly. A disorder can also make it challenging for your child to talk to and play with peers. This is called social communication — the ability to relate to others. Similarly, cognitive communication can be affected by a speech disorder, which makes it difficult for your child to remember things and solve problems. Perhaps worst of all, it can affect their ability to use their imagination. Without assistance, your child could be at risk for never developing the tools and skills necessary to succeed in a learning, social, or creative environment. They will need speech therapy to overcome these challenges.
Comprehension
A speech disorder can also obstruct your child’s listening and comprehension skills. Attention is necessary to listen to the sounds and words someone else is speaking in order to respond. You must be able to distinguish one sound from another and understand that sounds convey meaning in the form of a language. If your child cannot articulate a response to a question, it could be because they have difficulty listening and focusing for an extended period of time. This, in turn, makes them feel as though they are incapable, which results in frustration. A speech therapist can help your child with hearing disabilities and focusing issues, giving them the tools they need to comprehend conversation and articulate their response. Without the help of an SLP, your child might never learn the skills it takes to properly listen. This could cause them to misunderstand others and affect their social and professional relationships in the future.
Self-Confidence
You already know how a speech disorder can affect your child’s social communication, but it’s worth elaborating on the importance of these social interactions when it comes to your child’s well-being. Their disorder might skew their perception of reality — what people mean by a comment, how they communicate, etc. More so, it could skew their perception of themselves. Children with speech disorders that are left untreated end up with high levels of anxiety and low self-esteem in their developing years, which often lasts into adulthood. They could get teased at school for not comprehending social norms, or for stuttering in class. A speech disorder can make your child fear independence, especially if they receive backlash at school for their struggles. Seeing an SLP can make the difference between your child’s happy youth, and one full of trauma. This, no doubt, permeates into their subconscious for the rest of their life and deeply affects who they will grow up to become.
By treating children with speech disorders, SLPs are changing the world. Every day they are helping children overcome the difficulties of being stuck in their thoughts with no way out. This fosters a community of children who have overcome a significant challenge and feel proud of themselves — children who can listen and speak with confidence and abandon. This is what makes the future.
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This article was presented to you by Well Authored.
