Speech Therapy

^{Content Provided by: UCP of New York City}

Many conditions, including cerebral palsy, autism, hearing loss, developmental delays, may cause difficulty with speech and language development. Some children are unable to produce intelligible speech. Sometimes they also experience challenges in other areas of communication, such as hand gestures and facial expressions. Often, these challenges will last throughout their lives. Other children have less severe speech difficulties that are easily improved through early intervention.

Speech therapy is a clinical program aimed at improving speech and language skills and oral motor abilities. This means talking, using sign language, or using a communication aid. Children who are able to talk may work on making their speech clearer, or on building their language skills by learning new words, learning to speak in sentences, or improving their listening skills. Children who cannot talk may learn sign language, or how to use special equipment such as a computer that actually speaks for them.

Next:

How Are Speech Defects Categorized?