What to Expect When Undergoing Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is helpful for people experiencing speech problems either due to injury or illness. Understanding what speech therapy is and what it entails can be helpful before beginning therapy. Here are helpful tips on what to expect when undergoing speech therapy.

Disorders and Conditions Treatable Through Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is ideal for individuals with various forms of speech disorders such as fluency, articulation, receptive, resonance, and cognitive-communication disorders. Moreover, speech therapy is also helpful to patients suffering from aphasia and dysarthria. Individuals who have a hard time expressing themselves, mainly due to Down syndrome and hearing loss, can help improve their communication by undergoing speech therapy.

Tests and Assessments Before Speech Therapy

To understand the needs of a patient, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) administer several standardized tests. The main purpose of the tests is to determine whether the client is eligible for speech therapy and come up with a baseline of data. After that, the therapist can understand the nature of the treatment the patient needs. Once the tests have been analyzed, a patient can start speech therapy right away. Some of the activities involved in treatment may include speech therapy apps, games that facilitate language development, and problem-solving.

Education, Participation, and Compensation Strategies

Counseling and education are the key components of speech therapy. Not only do they impact the therapeutic process, but they also help a patient come to terms and understand the nature of their condition. Compensation strategy involves training the patients and people around them with skills to substitute for their difficulty in communication. Notwithstanding, it is vital for any patient undergoing speech therapy treatment to participate in the process. At the same time, the patient may be required to make an effort to interact with new people or speak on the phone to build on confidence.

Speech therapy can improve speech for individuals with speech disorders and boost their self-esteem and confidence. At Midlothian Healthcare Center, we provide our patients with affordable and personalized health care to enable them to recover effectively. Our rehabilitation and nursing team is dedicated to the physical and mental wellbeing of our patients. Contact us for professional and quality healthcare services.