[First Last Name]
English [Number]
[Date Month Year]
Speech Therapy Options
INTRODUCTION
Certain neurological or developmental weaknesses can result to difficulties in communication and social interaction skills. Fortunately, speech therapy has experienced relatively strong development in the last decade, which led to the development of various therapeutic approaches that had shown scientifically documented efficacies. Three articles are reviewed to provide a general appreciation for the scope of therapeutic resources available today, particularly approaches used in pathological conditions. Moreover, these articles are presented as valuable resources in any speech textbook that includes interventions for speech problems. One article came from WebMD.com, while the other two articles came from the PubMed database.
The article provides a list of seven speech and six communication problems expected in autism and for which speech therapy had been found effective. It describes the benefits of speech therapy and listed six therapeutic techniques that may be used in intervening with specific speech and communication problems (WebMD n. p.). Speech specific therapeutic methods include electronic talkers, picture exchange communication system (PECS), sound expansion and compression (SEC), labial and facial muscle exercises, and therapeutic singing. In effect, this article is excellent in providing an introduction to speech therapy at its clinical level while providing speech therapy options generally employed in clinical speech therapy these days.
KENT’S “NONSPEECH ORAL MOVEMENTS”
The article provides a far deeper exploration on speech and communication problems and into the fields of motor control dynamics, oral biology, and craniofacial physiology (Kent 763). Specifically, it explores the role of nonspeech movements in the development of speech and language disorders as well as motor speech disorders. Its conclusions implied that nonspeech movements affecting feeding and swallowing, sleep (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea syndrome), and other functions (e.g. in trismus and tardive stereotypes) may have underlying impacts in the development of speech and communication problems, which therapy may have to target for intervention apart from direct speech therapy. It provides a deeper understanding of speech and communication difficulties as a textbook material.
BEST et al.’s “CONVERSATION THERAPY”
The article tested a new therapeutic method for speech difficulties among patients with post stroke aphasia, referred to as the “conversation therapy” (Best et al. 1). This approach to speech therapy involves the participation of conversation partners who are tasked to engage speech-disadvantaged patients in a conversation of five minutes in each therapy session. Results indicated that speech barrier behaviors declined, while speech facilitative behaviors increased after a period of eight weeks, following the online-accessible Better Conversations with Aphasia (BCA) program. Aside from being highly accessible at home, conversation therapy implies the need for children with speech difficulties for intensive and regular conversational engagement, making the approach a valuable intervention proposition in a textbook.
CONCLUSION
The three articles together provide a well-rounded exploration of speech therapy for people with speech difficulty using clinical techniques as valuable materials for a textbook.
WORKS CITED
“Benefits of Speech Therapy for Autism”. WebMD. Web. 3 Feb. 2017. <http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/benefits-speech-therapy-autism#1>
Best, Wendy, Jane Maxim, Claudia Heilemann, Firle Beckley, Fiona Johnson, Susan I. Edwards, David Howard, and Suzanne Beeke. “Conversation Therapy with People with Aphasia and Conversation Partners using Video Feedback: A Group and Case Series Investigation of Changes in Interaction”. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience Nov. 2016; 10(562): 1-14. PDF file.
Kent, Ray D. “Nonspeech Oral Movements and Oral Motor Disorders: A Narrative Review.” American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology Nov. 2015; 24(1): 763-789. PDF file.
