|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

What Are Language Therapy Tools?

Adults and children alike sometimes have speech problems. Speech problems can be a result of things such as birth defects, hearing problems, genetics or strokes. These problems can be addressed through corrective therapy planned by a speech and language therapist. Speech and language therapists have many tools with which to help patients of all ages with various speech difficulties.

  1. Mouth Muscles

    • Speech therapists often use mouth exercises to help their patients. These exercises are designed to help to strengthen the muscles in the mouth. One such exercise is done with children by placing a layer of sticky food (peanut butter, for example) around their mouths and asking them to lick it off with their tongues.

    Toys

    • Playing games is another exercise that helps a child to express himself and his ideas. Some toys that are often used for this method include familiar toys that the child may know or have at home and unfamiliar ones. Unfamiliar toys are useful for this exercise as it prompts the child to ask questions about the toy, and also answer questions posed by the therapist.

    Board Games

    • A tool that many therapists use when working with children is the use of board games. Some children's board games can have the rules changed by the therapist in order to facilitate a goal to reach with the child. For instance, by choosing a letter that the child needs work in pronouncing, a word beginning with that letter must be said before a turn is taken.

    Oral Play Practice

    • Therapists sometimes come across young patients who are shy. When this happens, the therapist needs to find a way to develop the child's trust in order to begin helping her. One tool used to start this relationship is playful sounds and actions with the mouth. Having the child stick out his tongue, make blowing sounds or suck a pretend straw can help a nervous child feel more comfortable.

    DVDs

    • There are a variety of DVDs available for use at home to help as a tool in language therapy. The DVDs commonly feature a therapist directing the exercise and methods for someone who is seeking extra practice for her existing language therapy.

    Aphasia

    • Some people who suffer a stroke develop a speech problem known as aphasia. A tool that can be used for people who have aphasia is called SoundHelper. SoundHelper helps to show how to pronounce certain sounds that may be problematic to the person suffering from aphasia.

    Stuttering Tools

    • Several tools are used to help those people who have a problem with stuttering. One of the tools is teaching the person to have more positive feelings about talking to others. Another tool is for the person to lessen tension by starting off her speech with a deeper breath of air.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles