HIRAETH

Speech and Language Therapy

Health Professions Council registered

Speech and Language Therapists (or Pathologists) work with people of all ages who have difficulty communicating due to physical and/or cognitive dysfunction.

Factors affecting communication:

● speech: articulation, intonation, rate, intensity.

● language

phonology:  the study of the structure and content of word forms.

morphology: the study of the sound system of a specific language.

syntax: the rules for arranging words into sentences for a specific language.

semantics: the study of communication symbols and their meanings.

pragmatics: to communicate or understand more than expicitly stated.

receptive and expressive language, including reading and writing.

● dysphagia: difficulty swallowing.

(Retrieved from "http://nostalgia.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therapy/Speech-Language")

 Case Cameo

‘Speech disorders often involve both poor velum and tongue control. Speech and language therapy helped Mike (52) to improve his intelligibility. Mike was very hypernasal: a condition whereby excessive air flows through the nose during communication. This condition had developed following a specialized surgical dentistry procedure. The therapist suspected that surgery had affected Mike’s tongue/palate contact but the resulting articulation difficulties had been masked by his dominant hypernasality. Tests showed a weakness in tongue to palate contact on the right, confirming the therapist’s suspicions. Sophisticated speech and language exercises slowly developed Mike’s tongue to palate strength. Mike also began to manipulate velum and tongue with more control. Consequently, Mike improved intelligibility and self esteem.’