Speech-Language Therapy Strategies
Speech-language pathologists use personalized strategies and techniques to prevent or even solve an existing speech condition. Many of these strategies include getting to know the person and their specific problem at hand. Getting to know the patient on a personal level allows the clinician to understand each patient’s problems individually.
Early Childhood Development
The first strategy that might be used to treat a condition is speech intervention or "Developmental therapy". Speech and language intervention are activities specially designed to get to the root of the issue by speaking via conversation to give feedback to the child of his/her speech. This may include pathologists having patients read picture books, flashcards and more to provoke certain phrases that will bring out the issue.
Articulation Speech Therapy
Another strategy that speech pathologists use is articulation therapy. This is fairly straight forward when understanding speech/language issues. The expert running therapy will have the patient say certain sounds and train them to use their mouth and tongue correctly. For example, one may say “Ship” to evoke the harsh SHH sound which is commonly mispronounced.
Feeding Therapy
The final set of activities that are often used, though there are many, is feeding therapy. This therapy is not for anyone with speech problems. Usually, early on in life, children who have major speech problems also suffer from swallowing/feeding as well.
This therapy uses multiple textures of food to strengthen the mouth and related muscles to improve speech and the overall ability to articulate sounds.
Personalized Speech Therapy for Families
We at Mueller Pediatric recognize that one method of treatment doesn't work for every case, which is why we offer specific, individualized treatment plans to best accommodate those seeking speech therapy in Peoria, IL.