Cerebral Palsy and Speech and Language Therapy

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Speech and language therapy helps children with cerebral palsy by improving communication. Speech therapy can also help children who struggle to eat and swallow and those with breathing issues.

What Is Speech and Language Therapy?

Speech and language therapy is a type of therapy provided by trained, licensed healthcare professionals called speech-language pathologists. They are also sometimes called speech and language therapists.

These therapists assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to language, speech, communication, and swallowing. They use various exercises to improve speech, breathing, and swallowing and to address specific disorders, including aphasia, dyspraxia, and dysphagia.[1]

How Does Speech and Language Therapy Help with Cerebral Palsy?

Speech therapy is a form of therapy that helps people improve their speaking skills so that they can communicate more effectively. Children with cerebral palsy often have speech impairment, ranging from mild to severe.

Not all children with cerebral palsy have speech issues, but they are common. According to research, more than 75% of children with cerebral palsy have speech and language disorders.[2]

A licensed speech therapist works closely with each child to develop the best individualized plan to help patients communicate more effectively. Speech therapists typically provide children with exercises to help them understand gestures, words, numbers, sounds, etc.

Speech therapists also help children with breathing, swallowing, and digestion issues, which are common problems for children with cerebral palsy.

Speech Therapy Exercises

Exercises for speech improvement may include teaching the child sign language, communication through writing and painting, winking, voice synthesizers, picture boards, and augmentative communication devices. These forms of treatment help children address and improve issues such as:

• Pronunciation skills
• Vocabulary development
• Listening skills
• Comprehension and formation of words
• Fluency
• Direct conversation engagement
• Mouth and throat issues

Speech therapy treatment depends on the child’s complete physical assessment results. Since each child is unique, they will have different needs determined during the assessment. The evaluation results will allow the therapist to create an individualized plan for the child.

Speech Therapy and Swallowing Issues

Many children with cerebral palsy have a difficult time swallowing, known as dysphagia. Dysphagia occurs due to physiological and neurological disorders and irregularities in the throat.

Speech therapists assist children with dysphagia by working to reduce the symptoms of the condition, which generally include choking on food and drinks, breathing difficulties, excessive coughing, and pulmonary aspiration of food and fluids.

Other Issues Addressed by Speech Therapy

Numerous conditions can lead to speech problems. The goals of a speech and language therapist are to address the associated conditions that cause speech issues in the first place, including:

• Stuttering
• Dysphagia
• Aphasia
• Dyspraxia
• Intonation and rhythm issues
• Vocal tract problems
• Dysarthria

There are many associated disorders that a therapist will help try to prevent or reduce. Commonly associated disorders include:

• Easily choking on foods and liquids
• Extreme coughing
• Pulmonary aspiration
• Difficulties with breathing
• Dehydration and malnutrition (typically because of choking on foods or liquids)

Benefits of Speech and Language Therapy

Of course, communication is essential and one of life’s most enjoyable experiences. It remains a big part of what shapes us into the personalities and people we become. It forms experiences, connects people, and is part of the larger human experience.

Children who have communication issues are already at a disadvantage. Still, with the proper interventions from speech therapists, these issues can be dealt with to help the child communicate properly.

The benefit of speech therapy is that the child will learn effective communication methods, which will help them throughout life, including daily living and social activities.

Other benefits include:

• Learning
• Ability to participate fully in school and home activities
• Better relationship development with friends, peers, and family
• Better socialization skills
• Ability to communicate ideas consistently and effectively

Who Provides Speech Therapy?

Speech therapists, or speech pathologists, conduct speech therapy sessions. Speech pathologists generally hold a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language Pathology. Most states require that they get certified through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

To obtain ASHA certification, speech pathologists must complete numerous courses dealing with the throat, mouth, speech, psychology, social work, and more.[3]

If your child with cerebral palsy struggles with speech or swallowing, ask your medical team for a speech and language therapy referral.