About Speech Therapy

Speech-language therapy is the treatment for most kids with speech and/or language disorders. A speech disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas.

By assessing the speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing skills of children and adults, Rochester speech therapists can identify types of communication problems and the best way to treat them.

In speech-language therapy, the therapist will work with a child one-to-one, to overcome difficulties involved with a specific disorder.

Therapists use a variety of strategies, including:

Language intervention activities - In these exercises the therapist will interact with a child by playing and talking. The therapist may use pictures, books, objects, or ongoing events to stimulate language development.

Articulation therapy - Articulation, or sound production, exercises involve having the therapist model correct sounds and syllables for a child, often during play activities. The level of play is age-appropriate and related to the child's specific needs. The therapist will physically show the child how to make certain sounds, and may demonstrate how to move the tongue to produce specific sounds.

Oral motor/feeding therapy - The therapist will use a variety of oral exercises, including facial massage and various tongue, lip, and jaw exercises, to strengthen the muscles of the mouth. The therapist may also work with different food textures and temperatures to increase a child's oral awareness during eating and swallowing

Speech therapists are also concerned with reading and writing, thinking, memory and social skills. Speech therapy can include the use of sign language or picture symbols if needed.