The Big Picture
People with speech and language disorders may need help communicating with others. The type of help depends on the person’s age, disorder, cause, and how severe the problem is.
Some people can improve or relearn speech and language skills through practice and exercises. Others may use communication boards, electronic devices, computers, tablets, or systems that speak for them.
Start Here If You’re Overwhelmed
Focus on these core ideas:
- A speech therapist, also called a speech-language pathologist, helps clients develop communication skills and teaches families new communication techniques.
- Treatment methods depend on the client’s age, disorder, cause, and severity.
- A client with dysarthria may practise muscle-strengthening exercises and learn how to breathe while speaking.
- Communication boards use pictures or words that clients can point to or select in another way.
- Electronic devices can turn selected pictures, words, or symbols into spoken messages.
- Computers and tablets can provide additional communication support for clients with speech and language challenges.
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Course Notes: Key Ideas You Need to Know
Speech Therapy and Communication Skills
A speech therapist is also called a speech-language pathologist. This professional helps a client with a speech disorder learn to communicate. The speech therapist may also teach family members new ways to communicate with the client.
The methods used depend on:
- the client’s age
- the type of disorder
- the cause of the disorder
- the severity of the disorder
Practice and exercises may help a client learn or relearn speech and language skills.
For dysarthria, the muscles used for speech are weak or paralyzed, making clear speech difficult. A client with dysarthria may practise muscle-strengthening exercises and learn how to breathe while speaking.
Improving Existing Skills and Learning New Skills
Treatment may focus on skills the client already has.
For example, a client may learn to use:
- body language
- facial expressions
These skills can make communication more effective.
Some clients may also learn a new communication skill, such as sign language.
When Speech and Language Challenges Are Severe
Some clients with severe speech and language challenges may never regain the ability to speak and understand language.
Communication aids can help these clients express their needs and communicate with others.
Communication Boards
A communication board contains pictures or words representing needs, functions, or tasks.
A board may include items related to activities of daily living, such as:
- sleep
- food
- drink
- medicine
- eyeglasses
The client selects the picture or word that represents what they need.
The type of communication board depends on the client’s needs. Clients who can read may use boards with words instead of pictures.
For clients with quadriplegia who cannot speak or point, an eye-gaze board may be used. The client looks at a picture or word and then uses a signal, such as blinking, to show that it is the correct choice.
Mechanical and Electronic Communication Devices
Mechanical and electronic communication devices differ in size, complexity, and cost.
They may include:
- large computers that are difficult to move
- handheld electronic talking aids
Some electronic devices display pictures on a screen. The client touches a picture, and the device speaks the message.
For example, selecting a picture showing sadness may cause the device to say that the person is sad.
Some devices can also:
- show the message in writing on a screen
- convert words into pictures
Computers and Tablets
Computers and tablets can help clients with speech and language challenges communicate more easily.
Clients with verbal-expression communication disorders, such as dyslexia or verbal apraxia, may have difficulty reading or writing.
Electronic devices may provide computing access through a combination of:
- screen reading
- magnification systems
- alternate input
Electronic tablets can also support communication. They are small, easy to transport, and easy for clients to use. Downloadable applications can be added to meet the client’s communication needs.
Systems That Speak for the Client
Some clients cannot speak clearly but can type the correct words or identify symbols that represent words.
Systems are available that can speak those words for the client.
Many software programs used for this purpose can work with a speech synthesizer. The machine creates the speech electronically. The voice can be adapted to sound male or female.
Computer-assisted electronic aids are expensive. Some may also be difficult to carry.
Even with these limitations, these aids can improve quality of life for people with speech and language challenges.
Fast Review
Treatment methods depend on the client’s age, disorder, cause, and severity. Focus on how each method helps the client communicate.
- A speech therapist is also called a speech-language pathologist.
- Treatment methods depend on the client’s age, disorder, cause, and severity.
- Clients may practise or relearn speech and language skills.
- A client with dysarthria may practise muscle-strengthening exercises and breathing while speaking.
- Body language and facial expressions can help improve existing communication skills.
- Communication boards use pictures or words to help clients express needs.
- Eye-gaze boards can help clients who cannot speak or point select a picture or word.
- Electronic devices may speak a message after the client selects a picture on a screen.
- Computers and tablets can use communication tools such as screen reading, magnification systems, alternate input, and downloadable applications.
- Some systems can speak words that a client types or represents with symbols.
- A speech synthesizer produces electronically generated speech and can be adapted for a male or female voice.
- Computer-assisted electronic aids are expensive and may be difficult for some people to carry, but they can improve quality of life.
Final Pep Talk
There are several communication methods in this topic, so focus on what each one allows the client to do. Review the differences between communication boards, electronic devices, computers, tablets, and systems that can speak for the client until you can recognize each one.