Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)

WHAT IS SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY?

‘Speech and Language Therapy’ is commonly used to help people with language or communication difficulties, although it can also be used to help individuals with difficulty swallowing, eating or drinking.

If the problem being experienced is related to another difficulty such as Autism this is called a ‘secondary’ impairment. If the problem does not stem from any other disorder, for example, if a child finds social interaction problematic, it is termed a ‘primary’ impairment. Whatever the cause a speech and language problem can present a considerable obstacle to a person’s development.

Speech and Language Therapy Terms
Professionals may differentiate between the terms ‘speech,’ ‘language’ and ‘communication’ and so it is useful to define these terms. Speech relates to the ability to clearly enunciate the sounds necessary to speak; language concerns the comprehension of words and their utilisation to make sentences and; communication concerns the use of language in a constructive way, allowing for interaction with others.

WHAT DOES A SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPIST DO?

The speech and language therapist is trained to assess and treat speech, language and communication problems in people of all ages to enable them to communicate to the best of their ability. They may also work with people who have eating and swallowing problems and work directly with the child and provide support to them and their carers.

Speech and Language Therapists will work with people who suffer the following problems: Stroke, learning disability, physical disability, neurological disorders, cancer of the mouth and throat, head injury, hearing loss and deafness, cleft palate, dementia and psychiatric disorders.

Speech and Language Therapists work in a variety of settings. These include hospitals (both inpatients and outpatients), community health centres, mainstream and special schools, assessment units and day centres and in clients homes.

HOW THE THERAPY WORKS

In a case where communication is the problem the aim of the therapist is to aid the child to communicate as best as they can. In order to do this the therapist first assesses the extent of their problem by considering factors such as how they produce sounds and whether they are able to comprehend spoken language. Once the therapist has made a diagnosis a programme of care is developed for the child in conjunction with their family, and other individuals such as teachers and social workers and other healthcare professionals.

SPEECH DISORDER AND SPEECH DELAY

It is to be noted that if a child is experiencing difficulties in speech it may not be that they have a ‘Speech Disorder’ but that they have a ‘Speech Delay’. The former refers to unusual or abnormal development whereas the latter concerns children who are not developing as fast as they should be. However it is not always easy to determine which category a particular child falls into and professionals may not even make a rigid distinction between the two.

THE CATEGORIES OF IMPAIRMENT

In regards to communication a number of different forms of speech and language difficulties may be identified. These may affect the ‘receptive language’ of an individual (their ability to understand language) or their ‘expressive language’ (their ability to form coherent sentences). For instance a person may be unable to control the muscles needed for speech or have a problem with semantics. For a list of all possible impairments please click here.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY?

A number of factors may be identified in order to determine whether or not a particular child requires this form of therapy. For example in the case of a child between the ages of 1 and 2 the following factors would suggest that Speech and Language Therapy may need to be considered:

1. There is no development of speech or only very slight progress in this regard
2. They do not seem to understand what is said
3. They have underdeveloped listening skills
4. They are not playing as a child of that age usually would

 

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Although the information we have provided here is meant to be helpful to you, Douglas Silas Solicitors cannot be held responsible for any damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy or reliance placed upon it. If you have any concerns about your child, you should seek professional educational or healthcare advice as soon as possible.