Speech Therapy

Types of Communication Disorders Addressed in Speech Therapy

1. Speech Disorders: Difficulty pronouncing words or speaking fluently.
2. Language Disorders: Challenges in expressing ideas and using appropriate language.
3. Swallowing Disorders: Issues with eating and swallowing due to illness or injury.
4. Cognitive Communication Disorders: Problems with planning, attention, and organization.
5. Social Communication Disorders: Difficulties in verbal and non-verbal interactions, often seen in children with autism.

Signs Your Child May Need Speech Therapy

1. Limited Vocabulary for Their Age
   Children should say basic words by 18 months and form two-word sentences by age two. Delays may indicate a need for help.
2. Difficulty Understanding or Following Instructions
   By age two, they should understand simple directions. Struggling may signal receptive language issues affecting daily interactions.
3. Unclear Speech or Mispronunciation
   By age three, children should be mostly understood by familiar listeners. Consistently unclear speech may indicate a speech sound disorder.
4. Struggles with Social Interaction
   Difficulty with eye contact, turn-taking, or appropriate responses can indicate social communication disorders affecting interactions with peers.
5. Stuttering or Hesitation While Speaking
   Frequent stuttering or hesitation may indicate a fluency disorder. Speech therapy can help improve confidence and fluency.
6. Frustration Due to Communication Challenges
    Frequent frustration in expressing thoughts can lead to emotional distress and behavioral issues, highlighting the need for speech therapy.

Role of Our Expert Speech Therapists

At First Step Special Kids School – the leading school for special kids in Kolkata, speech therapists, or speech-language pathologists (SLPs), play an important role in assisting children with speech disorders. They conduct thorough evaluations to understand each child’s unique speech and language difficulties. From these tests, they develop personalized therapy plans that focus on particular areas, including pronunciation, vocabulary, and communication abilities. They utilize various methods such as verbal exercises, visual tools, and engaging activities to enhance speech clarity and promote language growth, making sure that every child in our school advances at their own speed.

Comprehensive Techniques and Process We Follow

Techniques we follow –

• Modeling and Repetition: Therapists demonstrate the proper sounds and motivate children to mimic them.
• Play-Based Learning: Interactive activities make learning fun and enjoyable.
• Sound Articulation Exercises: Enhance clarity and pronunciation skills.
• Interactive Games: Parents can play games with kids like “I Spy” to strengthen therapy practices at home.

The speech therapy process includes:

• Evaluation: Evaluating the child’s speech and language skills.
• Regular Therapy Sessions: Concentrated on particular objectives..
• Preparation Tips: Help the child get comfortable with therapy aimed at reducing anxiety by using positive reinforcement and gently introducing them to the process.

Emotional and Social Support for Children at First Step

We truly understand that social and emotional support is the key to speech therapy. Therapists and teachers in our school try to build up children’s confidence by encouraging self-expression and celebrating small achievements. To handle frustrations or setbacks, they use patience, positive reinforcement, and break tasks into small steps, ensuring children feel supported throughout their therapy journey.

At-Home Activities and Parental Role

Parents can play an important role here by including enjoyable at-home activities for their child.This may include playing speech-oriented games, reading together, or using flashcards and apps. Everyday routines, such as mealtime or bedtime, present excellent chances to practice speech skills.