Speech Therapy

Speech therapy is an intervention service focused on improving a child’s ability to understand and express language, both verbally and non-verbally. Meenakshi Speech and Hearing Clinic provides tailored treatment for various speech and language disorders, using advanced equipment and scientific approaches.

Treatment Highlights:

• Customized to patients’ specific needs
• Involves family members in the process
• Regularly monitored for effectiveness
• Offers academic and vocational assistance

Speech and Language Therapy

After identifying a primary disorder, the next step is a customized intervention plan. Meenakshi Clinic uses evidence-based global programs to stimulate holistic communication. Sessions can be in-person or online.

Developmental Milestones:

• 3 to 6 Months: Coos, gurgles, and produces vowels/consonants
• 6 to 9 Months: Strings sounds like “Baba” and “Dada,” plays games
• 9 to 12 Months: Understands simple commands and points to body parts
• 1 to 2 Years: Vocabulary of 50-100 words, two-word phrases

Speech Therapy Benefits:

• Improved coordination of speech muscles
• Enhanced ability to express thoughts and feelings
• Better problem-solving and independent thinking
• Achieve school readiness and pre-literacy skills
• Improved vocal quality, fluency, and self-esteem
• Enhanced social skills and quality of life

Speech and Language Problems in Adults:

• Stuttering/Stammering: Developmental or due to stress/neurological injury.
• Voice Problems: High-pitched voice (Puberphonia) and Laryngectomy can be treated successfully.
• Aphasia: Loss of language ability due to stroke, head injury, or neurological causes.
• Dysarthria: Neurological impairment affecting speech articulation, voice, and prosody.
• Dementia: Cognitive impairment, including language, is often linked to brain changes in elderly individuals.

Speech and Language Assessment and Therapy

Importance of Speech and Language Therapy:

Effective communication is crucial for personal and professional success. Speech and language development is key to good communication, and any impairment can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Speech and language disorders make it challenging to understand and express thoughts and feelings. These disorders can affect both children and adults.

Communication Disorders we treat communication disorders at Meenakshi Speech and Hearing Aid Clinic:

We have developed tailored assessment toolkits and procedures to cover a range of speech and language disorders in both children and adults. Our assessment modules dynamically evaluate skills and potential in a natural, engaging way.

Common Disorders and Therapies:

1. Speech and Language Disorders:
   Language-based learning disorders cause delays in academic performance, including limited vocabulary, syntax issues, and poor phonological development. Adults with post-stroke aphasia often have difficulty using words and sentences, combined with dysarthria or swallowing problems. Speech therapy can help restore communication for those affected by brain injuries.
2. Hearing Impairment Rehabilitation:
   Children with hearing loss struggle to produce speech sounds and understand language. Our therapists help maximize their potential with cochlear implants and amplification devices.
3. Stuttering in Children and Adults:
   Stuttering disrupts natural speech flow, leading to challenges in communication and social avoidance. We provide fluency strategies and desensitization techniques to help children and adults communicate confidently.
4. Speech and Sound Disorders:
   Articulation difficulties prevent children from producing certain speech sounds, impacting reading and phonological processing. We develop exercises to build phonemic awareness and accurate speech sound production.
5. Voice and Resonance Disorders:
   Vocal cord vibrations produce unique voices for each person. Voice therapy reduces hoarseness from vocal abuse in children, adults, and professionals. We work with ENT doctors to treat vocal fold lesions.
6. Aphasia:
   Aphasia impairs communication due to a stroke, head injury, or brain disease. Treatment involves speech therapy once the underlying condition is addressed.
7. Dysarthria:
   Dysarthria is a speech impairment due to neurological causes, affecting articulation, voice, resonance, and prosody. Common in Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, etc.
8. Dementia:
   Dementia affects cognitive functions like language in some elderly people, linked to brain changes.

Stammering / Stuttering

Stammering so-called Stuttering is a developmental disorder with onset in early childhood. An adult who has not overcome his stuttering may continue to stutter in adulthood. Occasionally, stuttering may also occur in an adult consequence of psychological stress or neurological insult.

At Meenakshi Hearing Aid Center, we understand the challenges that people who stutter face. Our comprehensive stammering treatment program has helped many people overcome their Stammering / Stuttering.