PT2Go now offers speech therapy!

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a clinical treatment that improves a person’s ability to speak, understand language, and communicate clearly. Conducted by Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), it addresses a variety of speech, language, and swallowing disorders through tailored exercises, muscle strengthening, and cognitive strategies. 

What it Treats
Speech therapy is highly customizable and addresses a wide range of conditions for both children and adults, including: 
    • Speech Disorders: Difficulties producing speech sounds correctly or fluently, such as lisps, stuttering, or apraxia.
    • Language Disorders: Challenges with understanding others (receptive language) or expressing thoughts (expressive language).
    • Cognitive-Communication: Issues with memory, problem-solving, and executive functioning, often resulting from a stroke, brain injury, or dementia.
    • Social Communication: Difficulty with conversational skills, reading body language, and interpreting facial expressions.
    • Swallowing and Feeding Disorders: Problems with chewing, swallowing, or refusing food (dysphagia).
Who Benefits
Speech therapy is beneficial for individuals of all ages, from infants to older adults. 
    • Children: Helps with developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, hearing impairments, or motor-speech disorders.
    • Adults: Aids in recovery after a stroke, traumatic brain injury, or the onset of neurological conditions (like Parkinson’s disease) that impact speech or swallowing. 

What Happens in a Session
Treatment begins with an evaluation to identify specific communication strengths and challenges. Sessions often involve: 
    • Sound and Articulation Practice: Practicing specific sounds and mouth movements in front of a mirror.
    • Language Games: Using games and picture books to build grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
    • Oral Motor Exercises: Specialized exercises to strengthen the muscles in the jaw, tongue, and neck. 

To explore how speech therapy works or find a licensed pathologist near you, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).