Speech therapy is one of the branches of rehabilitation sciences that deals with evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of speech and language disorders. This science aims to improve communication skills and improve the quality of life of people with language, speech, voice or swallowing problems. Speech therapy is important not only in children but also in adults who have communication problems due to brain injuries or neurological diseases. In the following, we will examine different aspects of this field. What is speech therapy? Speech therapy is a type of treatment method in psychology that evaluates and treats communication problems and speech disorders. This disease is treated by speech pathologists who are also called speech therapists. In general, speech therapy techniques are used to improve communication. *Speech therapy* may be used to resolve speech disorders in children or adults caused by injuries or diseases such as stroke or brain damage. Read more: The best neurologist in Velanjak When is speech therapy used? In general, it can be said that there are several speech and language disorders that can be treated with speech therapy. #### Pronunciation disorders A pronunciation disorder means a child's inability to pronounce certain sounds of words correctly. A child with this disorder may change or distort sound and words. For example, a child with a verbal disorder may say "dit" instead of the word "dis". #### Stuttering disorders Stuttering disorder is a condition in which the child is not able to control and master the speed and rhythm of his speech. Inability to speak fluently is one of the characteristics of this disorder. A person suffering from stuttering has difficulty in producing sound and may have interrupted and non-fluent speech. He may also repeat some words several times. In addition, such people may merge words together. #### Resonance disorders or voice distortion This disorder occurs when the blockage of air flow in the nasal cavity or mouth regularly changes the vibrations of the sound quality. This complication can also happen if the velopharyngeal valve is not closed properly. Resonance disorders are often associated with cleft palate, neurological disorders, and tonsillitis. #### receptive disorders A person with a receptive language disorder has difficulty understanding and processing what others say. This issue makes it appear that the person suffering from this disorder is inattentive or uninterested when someone is talking. It should be said that language disorders, autism, hearing loss, and brain damage can also become receptive disorders. Read more: Post-traumatic stress disorder #### Speech disorders A person suffering from a language disorder faces difficulties in transmitting and expressing information. A person with a speech disorder may have difficulty in creating accurate and well-constructed sentences. For example, use the verb, subject and other parts of the sentence in a confused manner. This disease can be associated with disorders such as Down syndrome or hearing loss. It can also be caused by a head trauma or a specific medical condition. #### cognitive-communication disorders It is possible that the part of the brain that controls a person's ability to think may be damaged and the person's cognitive ability will face a problem. This condition can lead to problems with memory, problem solving, and difficulty speaking or listening. It should be said that this disease can be caused by biological problems, abnormal brain development, special neurological conditions, injury or stroke. It should be mentioned that this is an acquired communication disorder that affects a person's ability to speak and understand others. It also often affects a person's ability to read and write. Stroke is the most common cause of this disorder. #### Dysarteritis Dysarthritis is a type of speech disorder in which due to weakness or lack of ability to control the muscles needed for speech, a person faces slowness or lack of speech. This disease is mostly caused by disorders of the nervous system and conditions that cause facial paralysis or weakness of the throat and tongue, such as stroke. ### Speech therapy for children Children may face speech disorders due to genetic, environmental or developmental problems. Some common disorders include: - **Speech delay**: when the child is behind his peers in learning and producing words. - **Stuttering**: a problem in the fluency of speech that is associated with repeating or stuttering words. - **pronunciation problems**: inability to pronounce sounds or letters correctly. Treatment of these disorders at a young age has a higher chance of success. Speech therapy in these cases includes games, language exercises and reinforcement activities that increase the child's language skills. ### Speech therapy for adults Adults may also need speech therapy for various reasons. Some of these reasons are: - **Brain injuries**: such as a stroke that causes speech or language impairment (aphasia). - **Voice disorders**: such as hoarseness or voice fatigue in professionals. - **Neurological diseases**: such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's, which affects people's communication ability. Speech therapy in adults focuses on retraining language skills, strengthening the voice, and improving the ability to communicate. **The role of speech therapy in improving social skills** One of the important aspects of speech therapy is to help improve social and communication skills in people with speech and language disorders. Effective communication is an integral part of human social life, but for people with stuttering, speech delays, or language comprehension problems, social interactions can be challenging. #### **Challenges of social skills in people with speech disorders** These people may feel isolated or embarrassed in social settings for the following reasons: - Inability to express one's thoughts fluently. Fear of being judged or ridiculed by others. Difficulty understanding and responding to complex conversations. **How does speech therapy help?** Speech therapists use specific exercises and techniques to strengthen social skills: 1. **Language exercises**: improving the skills of understanding and responding to conversations. 2. **Confidence Enhancement**: Speaking exercises that prepare people for everyday conversations. 3. **Teamwork**: Creating simulated social situations where people can practice in a safe environment. **Speech therapy tools and methods** Speech therapists use various methods and tools to evaluate and treat patients. Some of these methods are: - **diagnostic evaluation**: using standard tests to investigate language and speech problems. - **Speech exercises**: repetition and reinforcement of sounds and words. - **Assistive technologies**: software and devices to strengthen language skills. These methods are adjusted according to the needs of each person and change as the treatment progresses. **The importance of speech therapy in society** Speech therapy plays an important role in improving people's quality of life. People who cannot communicate properly with others due to speech disorders may suffer from social and psychological problems such as isolation and reduced self-confidence. By providing speech therapy services, these people can improve their skills and return to social life. Also, training parents and teachers to identify speech problems in children can be very effective in the prevention and early treatment of these disorders. **Conclusion** Speech therapy is a valuable and multifaceted field that plays an essential role in improving communication, language and swallowing problems. With the advancement of science and technology, this field also uses new tools and methods for better treatment. Awareness of the importance of speech therapy and access to its specialized services can significantly increase the quality of life of people with speech disorders.