Speech Language Pathology

Speech-Language Pathology Overview

The speech-language therapist is a rehabilitation professional that enables the development, restoration, or maintenance of oral and/or written language skills aimed at fostering the development and autonomy of the child in its different living environments and their integration into family, school, vocational, and social activities. The speech-language pathologist works closely with the family, health providers, and educational staff to support the child in all of their living environments.

Speech therapists detect, assess, identify, and treat speech, language, voice, fluidity (stuttering), swallowing, and feeding disorders in addition to advocating for the prevention of these disorders.

Clientele

The pediatric speech-language therapist works with children and youth of all age groups – preschoolers, school-age children, and teens being affected by:

• Learning disabilities (dyslexia/dysorthographia)
• Language difficulties (language delay)
• Language disorder (formerly known as dysphasia)
• Speech sounds disorder
• Social communication disorder
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Myofunctional orofacial disorder
• Stuttering
• Cluttering

Assessment and Intervention

The assessment is carried out through various formal and informal tests which is selected according to the age of the child and the difficulties they encounter. Speech therapy interventions offered at the clinic are focused on the client’s needs and difficulties, valuing a systemic approach. Help to enable the child to acquire language skills will be offered through kinesthetic, verbal, or sign language cues. Here is a non-exhaustive list of interventions that may be conducted by the speech-language therapist:

• Speech
  • Articulation
• Speech Fluidity
• Voice and resonance
• Swallowing
  • Peripheral oral mechanism
  • Snack/meal observation
• Oral language
  • Form (phonology and morphosyntax)
  • Content (vocabulary and semantics)
  • Use (discourse and pragmatics)
• Written language
  • Phonological awareness
  • Basic mechanism (letter-sound decoding, orthographic lexicon)
  • Speed and accuracy
  • Higher skill level (written production, reading comprehension)

What to Expect

The speech-language therapist will assess the child, provide recommendations, and prepare a treatment plan. The duration of the follow-up therapy varies according to the problems encountered and their severity. The speech-language therapist works closely with the parent and care providers (school, health) to maximize the child’s learning.