Speech Therapy Myths Debunked

Do you know what speech therapy is? While many people will say they do, the truth is, most people likely don’t understand what speech therapy really entails. In fact, there are a lot of misconceptions about the purpose of this intervention, making it inaccessible for people who need it.

Here are some speech therapy myths debunked to help you learn about the treatment and its benefits.

Speech pathologists only work with people with lisps and stutters.

People often misunderstand who needs speech therapy. They often think that speech pathologists or therapists only work with individuals with lisps and stutters. However, other speech and communication disorders that require the attention of speech pathologists also exist.

For example, people with cleft palate may require speech therapy to improve their oral skills.  Likewise, people with dysphagia or difficulty swallowing may benefit from techniques taught by speech pathologists.

Speech therapy is only concerned with talking.

Speech therapy is not only concerned with talking. Speech therapists provide treatment for individuals with oral issues such as speech, language, social and cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders.

Speech therapy can help people with the following conditions and problems:

• Aphasia
• Craniofacial disorders like cleft palate
• Developmental disorders like specific language disability, autism, and stuttering
• Dysarthria
• Dysphagia
• Voice disorders

Speech therapy is only playing.

Parents may observe that speech therapists interact with children through games. Speech therapists play with patients for one of two main reasons: to get closer to the child or the play activity is a part of the therapy.

Speech problems may include articulation, rhythm, fluency, and pitch issues. Intervention techniques may consist of imitation and repetition. Depending on the child’s personality, activities presented in a play-like manner are necessary for them to enjoy and remember what they are learning in therapy.

The goal of children’s speech therapy is to teach and motivate them to speak. Making them enjoy the process makes it easier for the child to attain the goals of therapy. Some speech therapists may even give rewards or tokens as part of their programs. Rewards can serve as positive reinforcers of behavior for children.

Your child will outgrow their language delay, so speech therapy is unnecessary.

Indeed, some delays in developmental milestones in children are not always a cause for alarm. Some children may be late bloomers and will soon catch up with their age groups. However, this is not true for everyone. A significant delay in speech, communication, and cognition development in children may point to a developmental or physical disorder like hearing impairments or autism spectrum disorder.

Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve your child’s condition. However, this does not mean that a later intervention will not work. Later intervention would require more work and may mean slower progress because of the child’s learned patterns, but it is definitely recommended.

Speech therapy is only for children.

Speech therapy is not age-bound. While speech delay in children is a common reason why people seek speech therapy, adults can also exhibit issues with their speech, communication, and cognition. Everyone can seek speech therapy and benefit from this intervention.

For example, adults who suffered from a brain injury may acquire apraxia, a speech sound disorder resulting from the brain’s inability to produce speech. The brain’s pathways cannot provide the sequence needed to generate oral movements, resulting in an inability to speak.

Aphasia is another disorder that requires speech therapy. It involves the partial or total inability of the brain to produce and process language. This condition affects reading and writing, as well. A speech pathologist can help the patient improve their communication skills.

Speech Therapy In Wooster, Ohio

Speech therapy is a helpful treatment method for individuals of all ages with oral problems. Here at Wooster Community Hospital, you will receive the proper care you need. Our board-certified speech pathologists are ready to help you with your oral problems, including swallowing disorders and communication issues. We pride ourselves on our years of experience and knowledge in the latest research to improve our patients’ outcomes.

For inquiries and appointments, you may call us at (330) 202-3300 or request an appointment online. You may consult with our speech pathologists in our HealthPoint office. Let us help you get the quality care you deserve!