What is Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is a specialized intervention focused on improving a child's speech and abilities to understand and express language, including non-verbal communication. It addresses challenges with language, articulation, voice, fluency, and swallowing. Speech therapists, or speech-language pathologists (SLPs), use various techniques tailored to the individual child's needs.
Who Conducts Speech Therapy?
Speech therapy is conducted by certified and trained professionals known as speech-language therapists (SLTs). These individuals have completed the necessary education and clinical training in the evaluation and treatment of speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. They are licensed by regulatory bodies and often hold certifications from professional organizations.
How is Speech Therapy Different from Other Therapies?
While speech therapy focuses on communication and swallowing, other therapies and language programs might focus solely on language acquisition or enrichment, without addressing the broader range of communication challenges that speech therapy does.