Speech disorders, strokes, dementia, and other conditions can affect the ability to speak clearly, read and write, make word and object associations, and perform other tasks. The objective of language and speech therapy is to improve the ability to communicate. Here is a guide to additional treatment benefits. 

How Is Language and Speech Therapy Helpful?

1. Prevent Digestive Problems

Weak muscle strength can affect the ability to eat and swallow as well as form and pronounce words correctly. 

A speech therapist teaches oral motor exercises to strengthen muscle movement, coordination, and endurance. This, in turn, will improve the ability to chew and swallow food completely, which can prevent heart burn, acid reflux, constipation, and other digestive issues. 

2. Excel at School

When a child doesn't understand words due to a language disorder, it can affect their ability to comprehend teachers' instructions, complete assignments, and answer questions in front of the class. During therapy, children are given educational tools and work with language-speech pathologists to learn "and," "to," and other connective words. This will help them avoid unclear, run-on sentences that lead to low grades. They will also practice Phonics-focused exercises to increase their comprehension of which sounds are associated with different words.  

3. Strengthen Relationships 

Issues with language and/or speech can affect the way a person interprets and processes information they receive from other people. During speech therapy, a person will learn how to connect words to different facial expressions to make it easier to communicate and build close connections with others. 

Stuttering issues are also addressed during sessions. People learn skills to remain calm in stressful situations, so the stutter isn't triggered. Eliminating or minimizing a stutter can improve a person's self-confidence, which could make them eager to engage with others.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a language or speech disorder, reach out to The Road Home Therapy Center in Church Point, LA. Since 1978, the center has been providing adult and child speech therapy to improve the quality of life of residents throughout the Acadia Parish community. Visit the therapy clinic online, and call (337) 684-6318 for a consultation.