What does a Speech/Language Therapist do?
Speech Language Pathology is a broad field. Here is an overview of typical speech and language services provided by In-Home Tutors of Atlanta.
Articulation Therapy and Assessments:
Children with difficulty producing speech sounds are primary candidates for speech therapy. This includes children who lisp.
Voice Therapy and Assessment
Children who have prolonged vocal hoarseness come to therapy to learn how to use their voice appropriately, without mistreating it. SLPs also refer some children to the ENT (ear nose and throat doctor) to rule out any growths that can appear on the vocal chords from prolonged vocal abuse.
Language Therapy and Assessment
Speech Language Pathologists assess and treat child who have delayed vocabulary and syntax/grammar or other language disorders.
Auditory Processing and Comprehension Deficits:
Children who have difficulty understanding spoken language come to speech therapy. Children with auditory processing deficits have difficulty distinguishing and discriminating speech sounds. Children with comprehension issues have difficulty with word meaning, sequencing skills and problem solving.
Pragmatic Language Disorders:
Some children have difficulty using language properly in social contexts. These children come to therapy and learn how to introduce conversation, greet others, make eye contact, and use proper body language and other important social skills.
Hearing Impairment and the Hearing Handicapped:
Children who have hearing loss participate in a type of therapy called aural rehabilitation. This is lip reading skills, articulation and voice therapy. SLPs also screen hearing, check hearing aids and other hearing devices, and work with the classroom teacher in developing strategies to maximize the child’s classroom performance.
Oral-Motor Disorders:
Weak tongue and or lip muscles can decrease the clarity of speech. Speech therapists often use oral activities such as blowing bubbles and whistles, using straws and chewing gum to strengthen these muscles. Children may also have difficulty coordinating the movement of structures in the mouth during practice of speech movements.
Myofunctional Disorders:
Myofunctional problems are characterized by a flat, weak tongue that always pushes against the front teeth. Children with this disorder typically demonstrate a tongue thrust when eating and lisp when producing sounds such as “s.” Therapy focuses on reducing the tongue thrust which also reduces difficulties with speech.
Swallowing/Feeding Issues:
Some children have difficulty chewing and swallowing. Therapists can aid parents in setting up a feeding program that includes foods that are appropriate for the child. The therapists also teach how to modify the texture of foods and position the body to increase the safety of the child when eating.
Fluency Disorders:
Some children had a disorder that is characterized as the repetition or prolongation of sounds, words, or phrases during speech. SLPs often assist children with fluency difficulties to learn strategies to overcome these difficulties.
Academic Evaluations:
The SLP participates in meetings with other education professionals to evaluate and review student progress and make recommendations for growth.
Call 770-645-8750 to schedule a speech/language therapist
