We hear about so many types of different therapies in our lives. Every therapy is meant to cater to one or another need of ours. Speech and language therapy is designed to aid people in overcoming their speech issues. Speech therapy is an assessment and treatment of communication issues and speech disorders. The therapy is performed by an expert known as a speech therapist. 

Speech therapy can be performed both offline and online. Speech therapy online has made it easier for people to access the therapy conveniently and flexibly. Speech therapy can help adults and children address their communication problems and overcome them. 

Speech therapy helps improve communication with the help of various language interventions, articulation therapy, and much more based on the type of language or speech disorder. Speech therapy helps treat speech disorders that develop in childhood or speech issues in adults caused due to illness or injuries like brain injury and stroke. 

What is the need for speech therapy?

Speech therapy proves to help treat various speech or language disorders. Some of them are as follows:

• Articulation disorder

It is a disorder wherein one can\'t form certain word sounds. A speech disorder child might swap, drop, or add word sounds. For example, the child will say "thith" instead of "this." 

• Fluency disorder

Fluency disorders affect speech speed, flow, and rhythm. Cluttering and stuttering can also be identified as fluency disorders. An individual with stuttering might have interrupted or blocked speech, and Cluttering makes them speak fast and merge words. 

• Resonance disorders

It is a disorder where a blockage in regular airflow in nasal/ oral cavities changes the vibrations which make our voice quality. The condition is associated with neurological disorders, swollen tonsils, and cleft palate. 

• Receptive disorders

The disorder leads to trouble understanding or processing what others are saying, and it leads to issues in following instructions and limited vocabulary. Language disorders include autism, head injury, hearing loss, and more.

• Expressive disorders

Expressive language disorder is when someone has difficulty expressing/ conveying information and has trouble with sentence formation. It is also associated with down syndrome and hearing loss, which can result from a medical condition or head trauma. 

• Cognitive communication disorders

Difficulty in communication due to injury in the brain\'s area, which controls the ability to think, is a cognitive communication disorder. It can lead to issues with problem-solving, memory loss, and difficulty in speaking and listening. 

What Does Speech Therapy Consist Of?

Speech therapy starts with an assessment by the therapist, who identifies the type of communication disorder and decides the best way of treating it. 

Speech Therapy For Children

Speech therapy might take place in a classroom or a small group on a one-on-one basis based on the speech disorder. The speech therapy exercises and activities vary based on the child\'s condition, needs, and age. During speech therapy for children, speech therapist might:

• Interact via talking/ playing or using books, pictures, and other objects for language intervention to stimulate language development.
• Models correct sounds and syllables for children based on the age for teaching the child how to make specific sounds.
• Offer strategies and homework for the child and a parent or the caregiver for performing speech therapy at home. 

Speech Therapy For Adults

Speech therapy for adults also starts with an assessment to determine the candidate\'s needs and the best treatment. Speech therapy activities for adults help with speech, language, and cognitive communication. 

Exercises for adults consist of:

• Memory activities, problem-solving, organisation, and other activities improve cognitive communication.
• Conversational tactics for improving their social communication.
• Exercises for strengthening oral muscles.
• Breathing exercises for resonance.

For how long is speech therapy required?

The amount of time an individual needs speech therapy depends on the following factors:

• Frequency of the therapy
• Age of the candidate
• Underlying medical condition
• Type and severity of speech disorder
• Treatment of the underlying medical condition

Speech and language therapy can be beneficial for people of all ages who face speech issues. Some speech therapies can begin in childhood and improve as the child grows up, while others continue till adulthood and might require long-term therapy. 

The disorders caused by stroke or other medical conditions might improve with treatment as and when the situation improves. You can choose the speech therapy online or offline based on the convenience and flexibility required. Irrespective of your preferred mode, the results will be effective in the long run.