The use of speech therapy as part of the general approach to communicating and developing intelligence helps people with speech and language disabilities overcome obstacles. By learning how to give speech therapy at home, you can help improve speech without frequent visits to the clinic. Although improvement varies from week to week, consistent practice can bring noticeable results.
To get the most speech therapy benefits at home, I am going to introduce you to why is speech therapy important, why do kids need speech therapy, effective speech and language therapy techniques, step-by-step approaches, and expert advice throughout this entire guide.
Speech therapy is a type of therapy specifically intended to diagnose and treat communication disorders of speech, language, and communication. Delivered by certified speech-language pathologists, therapy focuses on articulation, fluency, voice quality, and cognitive communication abilities. Speech delay in children, speech impairment in adults, and those who have survived diseases affecting communication, such as stroke, are treated using this therapy.
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Speech therapy consists of several unique, highly specialized approaches to treating certain communication and swallowing disorders. The following are eight types of speech therapy, each with a speciality:
The treatment targets clients who struggle to make some speech sounds. Clients are required to articulate sounds like "r," "s," and "th" correctly through precise tongue, lip, and jaw movements.
The goal of this therapy is to support individuals with language disorders or language delays in developing the use and comprehension of language. Through the use of exercises that facilitate the development of vocabulary, sentence construction, and communication skills, clients are helped in learning and using language more accurately.
Designed for people who stutter, fluency therapy is meant to increase their ability to speak smoothly and continuously. Slow breathing, gradual progression from single words to complex sentences, and strategies for reducing the anxiety associated with speaking can all be employed as methods to reduce anxiety.
Voice therapy for voice disorders manifests in the form of a raspy voice, pitch issues (such as a voice that is too high, too low, or unstable), or difficulty controlling volume. Patients need to learn appropriate vocal techniques, such as breath support and healthy voice production habits, to improve voice quality and prevent strain (such as throat discomfort, vocal fatigue, or pain while speaking).
By addressing the communication handicaps created by cognitive deficits, such as deficits in memory or attention, the therapy helps patients compensate for problem-solving challenges by organizing and communicating efficiently daily.
For patients having swallowing difficulty, the therapists offer exercises to make the muscles used for swallowing stronger and provide strategies for safe eating and drinking. This can help lower the risk of aspiration, which occurs when food or liquid enters the airway instead of the stomach, potentially leading to choking or lung infections.
This therapy works on motor speech disorders where the clients are challenged in planning and coordinating speech movement. Clients receive treatment from the therapists through practice and sensory input such as visual cues (watching mouth movements in a mirror) or tactile cues (using touch to guide tongue placement) to encourage them to make accurate sounds and string sounds.
Speech therapy greatly benefits various age groups, enhancing communication, cognition, and general well-being. Following is an elaborative examination of the varying benefits of speech and language therapy for different ages.
Cognitive and Language Development: Improves overall language and cognitive abilities in individuals of all ages.
Speech Fluency and Clarity: Exercise enhances fluency, clarity, and pronunciation to aid individuals with speech disorders or delays.
Improved Learning Abilities: Helps one learn better academically as well as in everyday life.
Behavioral and Emotional Development: Reduces frustration and confusion, improving emotional regulation and well-being.
Improved Professional Communication: In a recent publication, it emerged that speech therapy enhances articulation and clarity, leading to more effective workplace communication.
Improved Confidence: Clear speech imparts confidence, enabling the speaker to express messages confidently in social and workplace interactions.
Enhanced Social Relationships: Improves interpersonal relationships and reduces miscommunications with relatives, family, and co-workers.
Cognitive Disorder Improvement: Compensates for disorders like aphasia, a condition that affects language understanding and production, making it difficult to speak, read, or write.
Early Speech Delay Intervention: Ensures greater communication and cognitive development in speech-delayed children.
Improved Academic Performance: Improved language skills lead to enhanced academic performance and simpler learning.
Social Development: Improved speech facilitates the development of more harmonious relationships with teachers and peers.
Greater Self-Confidence: The conquest of speech difficulties boosts self-confidence and self-esteem.
Cognitive Maintenance: Facilitates the maintenance of cognitive ability in older persons, especially those who have Alzheimer's or dementia.
Enhanced Swallowing and Feeding: A recent medical journal stated that speech therapy is very beneficial for older adults with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), reducing the risk of choking and improving overall nutrition.
Improved Communication During Older Age: Allows elderly individuals to retain or establish clear communication, which connects people to others.
Preventing Social Isolation: Enhances communication abilities to prevent isolation and ensure proper social interaction.
Home speech therapy can be an excellent way of helping a child or adult with speech and language difficulties. While medical speech therapy or professional speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are necessary, home practice reinforces therapy goals and improves communication. Below is a step-by-step guide about how to give speech therapy at home as well as other tips to maximize the process.
Before starting home-based speech therapy, one needs to identify the exact speech or language disorder. Some of the common disorders are:
Speech delays: Difficulty in forming words or sentences at the age of expectations.
Articulation disorders: Disruptively mispronouncing speech sounds, such as pronouncing "wabbit" for "rabbit."
Fluency disorders: Stuttering or repetition of syllables, words, or sounds.
Language difficulties problem: Trouble with comprehension or usage of language.
A well-structured, distraction-free environment facilitates better speech practice. A well-structured environment includes clear organization, consistent routines, and the use of supportive tools like visual aids and interactive speech therapy materials. Common distractions to avoid include loud background noise, frequent interruptions, clutter, and excessive screen time.
Conversing with your child or the individual who requires speech therapy frequently is one of the most effective means of enhancing speech development.
Enrich Their Vocabulary: If they say "dog," say back to them, "Yes! A big, brown dog is running!
Ask Open-Ended Questions: Instead of "Did you have fun at the game?" say, "What was your favorite part of the game?
Model Correct Speech: When a child mispronounces a word, gently repeat it correctly rather than harshly correcting it. For example, if a child says 'wabbit' instead of 'rabbit,' you can calmly say, 'Yes, it's a rabbit.'
Enjoyable activities make speech therapy enjoyable and effective.
Have the child practice sounds in a mirror. This lets them know how their mouth should move when saying words.
Example: Say a word like "ball," and get them to mirror the lip motion.
Reading books improves vocabulary, comprehension, and speech fluency.
Drills like blowing bubbles, straws, or whistles strengthen mouth muscles, and speaking is clearer.
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Tongue twisters can be repeated with fun to enhance speech articulation and clarity.
Example: "She sells seashells by the seashore."
Technology can prove to be an efficient tool for home speech therapy.
Articulation Station: Helps with speech sounds and pronunciation.
Speech Blubs: Interactive speech practice for kids.
Stamurai: Designed for stuttering therapy.
Repetition is needed to acquire speech skills.
Track progress over time to see what works best.
Speech therapy is an overall tool that can be customized as per the specific requirements of the patients at distinct life stages. Speech therapy for kids, adults, and older individuals involves distinct approaches specifically designed to address the speech issues of a given age group. Below are described effective techniques of speech therapy for different ages and conditions.
Speech therapy for toddlers addresses the establishment of core communication skills and speech or language delays. Primary techniques involve:
Interactive Storytelling: Reading aloud and repeating or retelling what is read while children repeat after or retelling what is read reinforces vocabulary and pronunciation.
Play-Based Learning: Using toys, games, and role-playing to learn speech and make learning fun.
Rhyming Songs and Games: Rhyming increases phonological awareness, and repetitive songs can aid in the processing of language. Examples of effective rhyming songs include 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider,' and 'Down by the Bay.
Articulation Practice: Separate particular words or sounds that are challenging for children, with the help of a visual aid or mirror practice.
As children enter teenagers, speech therapy strategies shift to develop communication skills, with a focus on academic and social demands. Strategies can include:
Conversation Practice: Encouraging conversation with others to establish fluency, listening, and social competence.
Speech Fluency Drills: Removal of stuttering or hesitation through the exercise of controlled speech and relaxation.
Narrative Competence: Practice in the presentation and structuring of good, well-organized stories or accounts for teenagers.
Adult speech therapy is required for rehabilitation of or improvement of communication after injury, disease, or age. Speech and language therapy adults methods include:
Repetitive Phrasing: Strengthening speech muscle memory by repeating difficult words or phrases.
Speech and Language Therapy: Rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury includes learning language, sentence structure, and comprehension again.
Social Communication Skills: Developing conversation skills, such as eye contact, turn-taking, and tone, that are vital in professional and personal life.
Note: Recitation of tongue twisters like "Red lorry, yellow lorry" strengthens articulation.
Methods that enhance fluency and confidence are physical and psychological. The following methods will help you gain fluency and confidence:
Also read more: ADHD Vocal Stimming Explained
Adults recovering from brain injury or stroke suffer from speech disorders like aphasia and dysarthria. Traumatic brain injury speech and language therapy helps to restore communication.
Speech Rebuilding Therapy: Reliving words through repetition.
Picture & Word Matching: Reinforcing recall.
Alternative Communication: Using gestures, writing, or communication aids to communicate.
Oral Motor Exercises: For lip and tongue strengthening for articulation.
Dementia disrupts speech, memory, and comprehension, but speech and language therapy for dementia halts loss of intellectual function.
Word Association Games: Object identification and sentence completion.
Story Telling & Reminiscence Therapy: Discussion of the past.
Reading Aloud Together: Verbal stimulation through reading.
Music & Singing Therapy: Utilizing familiar songs to stimulate speech.
Example: Show a family photograph and say, "Who is this?" to provoke memory and discussion.
Also Read More: Occupational Therapy For Sensory Disorder
At the age of two, children should be talking and forming brief sentences. If your child is not, incorporating interactive games in daily life can increase communication.
Children aged two and three typically receive speech therapy through play. By using games, reading, and sensory input, practice can be fun and simple.
Speech therapy is an essential tool employed to help autistic children enhance their communication skills. Since autism affects speech and language development differently, tailored autism speech therapy techniques can enhance verbal as well as nonverbal communication. The most powerful techniques utilized during speech therapy for autistic children are discussed in detail below.
With PECS, children with ASD can communicate needs and thoughts through pictures before verbal communication is established, helping them understand and get less frustrated.
Children with ASD can communicate basic needs through hand gestures and signs, reducing frustration and aiding in the development of language.
The use of repetition of identical words and sentences in daily activities helps in language development by making it simpler to create language frames and helping individuals with ASD learn and use language in a structured environment.
Music therapy utilizes melody and rhythm to engage children with ASD, accelerating language processing through repetitive songs and making the learning of speech fun and interactive.
Speech therapists offer a model word or sound for children with ASD to imitate, employing repetition and play-based learning to facilitate language in daily life.
AAC devices, such as speech-generating tablets, assist children with weak verbal skills by allowing them to communicate electronically, encouraging improved self-expression.
Also Read More: Autism Test Accuracy
Many parents wonder, “When to start speech therapy?" The answer is when an individual either a child or an adult is experiencing difficulty with communication, speech production, or language understanding. Whereas some speech disorders are a normal part of the development process, persistent difficulty would require that a professional be sought out. To ensure that intervention can be accessed promptly, one must know what signs require speech and language therapy sessions, what happens during the referral process, and what happens during the assessment process.
Several signs might mean a child needs speech therapy, depending on age and particular speech or language disorder:
A child who is not babbling at 12 months or forming simple sentences at age two might be facing a speech delay. Catching up with a child can be made much easier with the assistance of early intervention.
Making the right way with sounds, e.g., substituting "w" with "r" (saying "wabbit" for "rabbit"), is an articulation difficulty. While some pronunciations are typically incorrect in children, long-term issues may require to be treated later on in life.
Repeating words or sounds ("b-b-ball"), sound prolongations ("ssssnake"), or blocks (pausing before speaking) are typical signs of a fluency disorder. Professional evaluation is warranted if stuttering affects confidence or everyday communication.
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury can impair speech and language development. This type of speech therapy may enhance communication ability and cognitive-linguistic function.
Related Topic: Extreme Autism Symptoms
Following observation of any of the above signs, it is important to consult with an educational or healthcare professional for advice. Referral systems differ depending on the setting:
Initial evaluation can be conducted by paediatricians, teachers, or school SLPs with a referral to a specialist. If there is concern, a comprehensive assessment by an ASHA-certified SLP is recommended.
Speech impairment may be assessed by a primary care clinician, neurologist, or specialist (e.g., ENT) and referred to speech therapy if secondary to a medical condition like a stroke or neurological disorder.
As speech and language impairment has effects on social relationships, academic performance, and self-concept, early intervention is essential.
After being referred, the next is to conduct a thorough speech and language evaluation. Some of them include:
A speech-language pathologist assessment will include standardized testing, conversation analysis, and a parent report (for children).
Depending on the severity of the treatment need, the SLP will design an individualized treatment plan. Goals, procedures for therapy, and the estimated duration of the intervention are listed in the treatment plan.
The treatment can be administered individually with the client, in a group, or by practice at home. Progress is also tracked regularly and changed if needed.
In-home speech therapy is handy but not without its challenges. To ensure that you keep on making consistent progress without falling into trouble, the following are some suggestions on how to overcome in-home speech therapy challenges:
Challenge: It is difficult to track progress and understand where to make improvements without a professional mentor.
Solution: Set realistic, measurable objectives to break down long-term goals into shorter-term milestones, such as improved articulation or mastering specific words. Monitor regularly by keeping a progress notebook to monitor progress and remain motivated.
Challenge: Lack of a regular, face-to-face session can result in missed exercises and frustration when progress is slow.
Solution: Set a time and a place for therapy to create a routine. Be patient with progress and view small gains positively to stay encouraged. If improvement levels off, question if the exercises are serving your objectives and adjust accordingly.
Challenge: For patients with conditions like Parkinson's disease (a progressive disorder that affects movement and can cause tremors and stiffness) or stroke, speech therapy needs to adjust as the condition evolves.
Solution: For such conditions as Parkinson's or recovery following a stroke, therapy needs to be tailored to the evolving needs. Reassess and redesign exercises regularly to target symptoms such as speech volume. Collaborate with a professional to continue therapy that is pertinent and effective.
Challenge: Dysfluency, or stuttering, could be a disabling barrier to communication.
Solution: Practice slow, controlled speech and breathing habits to eliminate interruptions. Practice positive reinforcement alongside building confidence and reducing fear of speech.
Challenge: Home therapy may lack direct supervision by a trained clinician, resulting in incorrect exercises and slow improvement.
Solution: Schedule regular appointments with a licensed therapist to promote the correct performance of the exercises. Remote consultations or progress reports provide feedback that keeps the therapy on track.
Speech therapy works best with the right resources. With or without a therapist, the following speech therapy resources offer beneficial help:
Speech Blubs: For toddlers, the app utilizes interactive video modelling to teach sounds, words, and phrases using fun games.
Articulation Station: Targets articulation disorders, offering games with a focus on specific sounds to assist speech clarity.
Tally Tots: For younger children, this application engages children in counting as it stimulates speech rehearsal and word repetition.
For Toddlers: "First 100 Words" by Roger Priddy supports early word construction.
For Preschoolers: "The Speech Therapy Activities Handbook" by Liana Lowenstein has useful activities for language development.
For Older Children: "Helping Children with Speech and Language Delays" by S. C. Cooper provides suggestions and activities for managing speech delays in school children.
Udemy Courses: Inexpensive speech therapy courses on various topics like speech delay and stuttering.
YouTube Guided Sessions: Channels like "Speech and Language Kids," "Speech Therapy with Laura," "The Speech and Language Therapy Toolbox," and "Easy Speech Therapy" offer therapy exercises and advice for free.
Therapy Time: Offers free and paid video tutorials for children and adults on fluency and articulation exercises.
Finally, how to give speech therapy at home is to create a comprehensive approach that combines efficacious exercises, progress tracking, and motivational strategies. Most vital is consistency, and recognizing small achievements encourages continued effort. Regularly adjusting the therapy as per individual needs will make it relevant and ensure the process is effective in the long run.
Dysfluent speech, or stuttering, is comprised of interruptions like repetitions of words or sounds. Its treatment involves slow and controlled speech, breathing exercises, and positive reinforcement. Practice with supportive individuals reduces anxiety, improving speech fluency in the long term.
Motor speech disorders affect the coordination of speech muscles, such as apraxia or dysarthria. Therapy is done through oral motor exercises, repetition practice, and sensory integration to increase clarity of speech and muscle strength to communicate clearly.
Speech therapy must be started in children at the earliest signs of speech or language delay, preferably at 2 or 3 years of age. Early intervention can help in the development of language and prevent future communication problems.
Speech pathology enhances communication by treating speech, language, and cognitive communication disorders. By undergoing therapy, an individual gains more clear speech, enhanced language, and enhanced social confidence in communication. All of which are vital in ensuring personal and professional achievement.
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) cannot diagnose autism but assess speech, language, and social communication abilities. They report on findings as part of the overall diagnostic process and provide important support to individuals with autism. Some of the best speech-language pathologists who specialize in autism and communication disorders include Dr. Barbara W. Kranowitz (USA), a leading expert in sensory processing disorder, often working with autism spectrum disorder, Dr. Nabeel Ahmad (Dubai, UAE), known for his work with autism and social communication disorders in the Middle East and Dr. Alison Beasley (Australia), a renowned SLP specializing in pediatric communication disorders and autism.
Speech therapy can take as short as a few months to as long as several years, depending on the patient. For children with autism, therapy may take longer, focusing on social communication and language skills. Children with speech delay often see progress within a few months, but full development can take a year or more. Other patients, such as those recovering from a stroke or with speech disorders, may have varying therapy durations.
1: Vogindroukas, I., Stankova, M., Chelas, E. N., & Proedrou, A. (2022). Language and Speech Characteristics in Autism. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 18, 2367–2377. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S331987
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