How is it treated and managed?
Treatment
Following evaluation and diagnosis, the Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) draws up a treatment plan specific to the needs of the child. This Individual Education Plan (IEP) outlines the goals/objectives of therapy and targets are usually set jointly with practitioners and/or parents/carers. Direct intervention by the SALT is according to the child’s needs.
A therapy programme is delivered in an environment familiar to the child, for example, through parents (at home), nursery staff or teaching staff. This helps the child to develop their skills throughout the day. SALT s may also provide direct individual or group therapy in these settings as well or sometimes in a clinic setting.
Speech and Language Therapy
The wide variety of disorders require variable approaches that target the nature of the problem i.e. if the impairment is in language form (syntax), language content (semantics), language use (pragmatics) or speech (phonology) and voice production. Therapists use a variety of strategies that include -:
- Language intervention - The therapist may use pictures, books, objects, or ongoing events to improve understanding and use of language. They will also model appropriate use of language and use repetition exercises to build vocabulary and sentence construction skills.
- Articulation or phonological (sound production) therapy - the therapist models correct sounds and syllables for a child during tasks and play activities. The child may be explicitly shown how to make certain sounds.
- Social skills programs to develop appropriate social use of language, usually in groups.
- Parent/child interaction programs that teach parents or caregivers how to promote communication development
- Oral motor/feeding therapy - A variety of oral exercises, including facial massage and various tongue, lip, and jaw exercises are used to strengthen the muscles of the mouth and improve range of movement. These are more often used when the child has a swallowing difficulty (dysphagia).
Alternative and Augmentative Communication
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) refers to any system of communication that is used in addition to or to replace speech in order to help children communicate. AAC aids cover a range of technologies, and the AAC method/ system is tailored to the child’s needs. These aids may improve social interaction and academic performance.
Non-assisted AAC uses the body to convey language (gestures, sign language).
Assisted AAC requires tools/equipment (picture and symbol communication boards, electronic devices etc).
