What Does Speech Pathology Mean?

Speech pathology is a broad field that covers speech as well language and communication. This lesson will provide a brief overview of the field as well as an explanation of the various techniques used in speech pathology.

Speech Pathology

A friend and you are sitting down talking about our summer vacation plans. Because you can communicate with one another, your conversation is flowing smoothly. Everything you need to communicate is available. Speaking is communication. The sender is you, and the message is what you are saying. Talking refers to the way that you deliver your message. Your friend hears what you say and interprets it to understand the message.

Communication is only possible when all elements of the process are present. Some people have difficulty receiving and sending messages. This can hinder their ability to communicate verbally or through reading and writing. It is usually due to a disorder, disease, or condition.

speech therapy is a study of communication or language problems that result from disease, condition, and disorder. A speech therapist is someone who studies in this field. Speech pathology Sydney not only focuses on how people communicate but also on what causes them to have difficulty swallowing. This condition is known as Dysphagia. This is because it includes everything that falls under speech pathology. It is also called speech-language pathology.

Children

Many children are born with disorders and conditions, such as Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. These disorders can cause communication problems that almost seem to go hand in hand. Sometimes the child may be able to hear what is being said but not be in a position to send back a message. Others may be able to make sounds while trying to speak but not loud enough to allow others to hear what they are saying. This condition is called Dysarthria. Children may lose their ability to comprehend written or spoken language in extreme cases.

Speech pathology seeks out the cause of communication difficulties and offers solutions or ways to work around them. The problem could be caused by apraxia (inability to control the tongue and facial muscles; hearing impairments; breakdown in communication between the brain, mouth, or facial expressions);

Speech pathologists can help these children communicate better by using many different techniques. A speech pathologist will suggest that a child with impaired hearing or difficulty understanding sign language be taught to him. A speech pathologist may ask the child to swallow straws, blow on whistles, push their tongue against tongue dilators, or drink through straws. This will help them develop their ability to use their tongue and other muscles. To encourage communication, a speech pathologist may play games in small groups with children who are unable or unwilling to communicate.

Communication involves more than one person. The treatment process will include all those who can communicate the most with the child. Therapists have discovered that children are more successful with therapy when other people in their lives can learn how to communicate with the child.