Speech Disorders – Symptoms, Types, & Treatments
A speech disorder is the inability of a person to produce sounds and speak words. A few voice disorders are also considered speech disorders…
A Brief Summary on Symptoms of Speech Disorder
Speech disorders are easily identified through various symptoms. Individuals with speech disorders exhibit a few of the following symptoms:
Repeating sounds and stuttering words- Blinking endlessly during talking
- Adding extra words or sounds in a different way
- Jerking while speaking
- Moving the head several times while talking
- Elongating the words
- Pausing frequently when speaking
- Making conversations with a gravelly and raspy sound
- Producing a distorted sound while talking
- Getting frustrated when attempting to communicate
An Insight Into the Common Speech Disorders
There are many kinds of speech disorders treated by speech therapists. Some of the common ones include:
- AOS (Apraxia of Speech): Difficulty in coordinating speech muscle movements.
- Dysarthria: Weakness in speech muscles due to brain damage.
- Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders: Issues with facial bone and muscle development.
- Speech Articulation/ Sound Disorders:Difficulty in producing clear speech sounds.
- Fluency Disorders or Stuttering: Repetitions or prolongations of speech sounds.
- Selective Mutism: Anxiety-related inability to speak in social settings.
- Speech Delay – Alalia: Delayed speech development in children.
- Autism-related Speech Disorders: Challenges in communication due to autism.
- Resonance Disorders: Airflow obstructions affecting voice quality.
- Voice Disorders: Conditions affecting vocal cord function.
List of Treatments for Speech Disorders
Speech therapists use various treatments depending on the severity and cause of the disorder. Some key methods include:
- Speech exercises to improve sound familiarity.
- Physical exercises to strengthen speech muscles.
- Target selection for practicing specific sounds.
- Contextual utilization approach to understand syllables.
- Contrast therapy for improving sound articulation.
- Oral-motor therapy for better muscle control.
- Speech sound assessment to evaluate pronunciation.
- Dysarthria & stuttering treatment focusing on behavioral changes.
- Pronunciation coaching for clear articulation.
