Problems with speech occur when there is a breakdown in the motor planning for sounds. This is essentially the brain connection to the muscles to produce the vibration we know of as “sound”. Typically, we see speech problems with younger children. These would be “developmental” speech disorders. Though speech disorders may also affect older adults after suffering conditions such as a stroke, TBI, or dementia.

Children with a diagnosis of autism, intellectual disability, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will usually have difficulties with expressive and receptive language.

Children who have difficulty acquiring language and are not using words to communicate or are producing phrases and sentences that do not make sense.

Older children who produce very short sentences.

Difficulties with grammar (e.g., verb tense, pronouns, sentence structure)

Slow rate of vocabulary development

Expressive signs and symptoms: word finding difficulties, effortful speech, speak in single words or short, fragmented phrases, omit small words (e.g., the, of, was), grammatical errors, words in wrong order, substituting sounds or words (e.g., “table” for “bed”), make up words, and stringing together nonsense words and real words, but leave out relevant content

Receptive signs and symptoms: difficulty understanding spoken phrases and sentences, requiring extra time to understand spoken information, unreliable answers to yes/no questions, hard to follow fast speech (e.g., television), and lacking awareness of errors

Brain boost for mild to moderate impairments:

This is for “typically” aging adults and those who “just forget things” or “can’t remember like they used to”. Cognitive therapy can provide essential brain support to assist with maintaining top brain function.

Dementia Care and Support:

Dementia cognitive impairment can become exceedingly difficult for both the adult and caregiver involved. Cognitive therapy can help decrease frustration and improve understanding during the disease process so that maximum communication is maintained throughout the patient’s experience.

Signs that your child might need feeding therapy:

Difficulty with suckling or bottle feeding.

Child is labeled as a “picky eater.”

Child only prefers certain shapes, textures, colors of food.

Child will “limit” what they eat.

Coughing or gagging observed with foods.

Child has difficulty transitioning off of tube feeding.

Previous history of cleft palate or cleft palate surgery.

Some signs of a swallowing disorder (both adults and kids):

Coughing with eating and drinking (during or right after).

Gurgling or Wet voice sounds when speaking after eating/drinking.

Feeling like there needs to be extra effort or chewing with eating.

Liquid or food “accidentally” leaking out during mealtimes.

Food “getting stuck” in the meal process.

Difficulty breathing after meals.

Weight loss despite adequate meals.