Our speech defines who we are, and is our way of making connection with others around us. However, there are some people who suffer from a condition known as speech disorder. Speech disorder is a medical condition in which a person is unable to form the right sounds that can help to form words. In some cases, some types of voice disorders are also referred to as speech disorder.
In most cases, those who suffer from speech therapy know what they want to say, but are unable to put it into words. This can also lead to a loss of confidence, and in severe cases can lead to depression. Often, speech disorder and depression need to be treated together in cases where the condition has already progressed.
Types Of Speech Disorder
Here are some of the most common types of speech disorder:
- Stammering
- Stuttering
- Lisping
Causes Of Speech Disorder
Here are some of the most common causes of speech disorder:
- Damage in the vocal cords or brain
- Weakness in muscles
- Difficulty in breathing
- Paralysis of the vocal cord
Main Symptoms Of Speech Disorder
Here are some of the most common symptoms that are signs of a speech disorder:
- Repeating the same sounds over and over again
- Having difficulty in starting saying a word
- Taking a pause between various words
- Difficulty and, or nervousness in starting a sentence or conversation
- Adding more sounds and words to a conversation than is required
- Making various movements while speaking, such as moving the head and so on
- Blinking a lot while talking
- Trying to focus too hard on something while speaking
- Getting visibly upset or frustrated while trying to speak
- Making a hoarse or coarse sound while speaking
- Stretching out sounds and words while talking
Diagnosis
Here are some of the ways your doctor may suggest that can help to diagnose the condition:
- Denver Articulation Screening Exam :This is one of the most commonly used ways that can help to diagnose speech disorder. It is a type of test that is used for children who are between 2 and 7 years of age. The test determines how clearly the child can pronounce different words and uses various methods and exercises to reach an assessment.
- Early Language Milestone Scale 2: This is a type of test that helps to diagnose any sort of language disorder in children. It can look for problems such as delay in speech.
- Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Revised: This is a type of test that tests a person’s overall vocabulary and the ability to speak. In this test, the person has to listen to a selection of words and select the pictures that best describe it.
Treatment
Here are some of the ways your doctor may use to treat the condition:
- Treatment will not be required in cases where the disorder is not severe and barely interferes with the person”s ability to speak.
- Speech therapy can help those who have a mild case of speech disorder. For this type of therapy, the therapist uses various exercises to help strengthen the muscles of the throat and face. The patient is also taught to control breathing while speaking and use it in accordance to speech.
- A speech therapist will also help a person speak slowly and with fluency, instead of mixing up words.
- Some people who experience severe speech disorder and get depressed as a result of the same may require medication to help them overcome the negative feeling. In such cases, talk therapy can be useful, as the therapist can suggest various ways that can help a person cope up with the condition and also deal with it in a more positive way.
- In cases where the person is severely depressed, the doctor may also prescribe antidepressants.
Consulting a therapist is the best way to deal with speech disorder, as it can help a person boost confidence and communicate in the best possible way. If you suspect you or your loved one is suffering from the same, make an appointment with a therapist right away.
