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Speech and Language Therapy for Dyspraxia

Many individuals with Dyspraxia will have difficulties in their speech and language. Individuals with dyspraxia will often find it difficult to coordinate the correct motor plan for using the muscles of speech, causing difficulties in using the correct words and speech sounds. Dyspraxia will affect an individual's speech in different ways and can range from mild to severe difficulties. In more severe cases an individual may have very limited speech output.

Speech and language therapy helps to improve and develop and individual's speech production through a variety of interventions and exercises. The main goal of speech and language therapy is to maximise the individual's communication to the best of their ability.

SLT - Oral motor intervention

An initial assessment carried out by the speech and language therapist will help to determine if an individual's dyspraxia is affecting their speech and also the severity of their difficulties. An initial assessment will also help in deciding what type of treatment is required to suit their specific needs and abilities.

Speech and language therapy will offer individualised treatment plans which will be tailored to the specific needs and abilities of the individual.

Treatment at speech and language therapy for individuals with dyspraxia may involve:

Oro-motor exercises which will help to improve the individual's movement of their lips and tongue
Speech production exercises to help the individual practise speech sounds
Breathing exercises to help the individual control their breathing
A mixture of breathing, oro-motor and speech exercises
Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), this is any way of communicating other than speech. AAC will be used in severe cases of dyspraxia where an individual has little or no speech output. AAC can be used as an alternative way of communicating or as an aid to support their speech.

Speech and language therapy will additionally provide advice and support for individuals, their family, friends and other professionals involved in their care e.g. educational staff. This will help the individual to communicate to the best of their ability in all environments including the home, school, work and social environments.

Speech and language therapy will help the individual to improve their communication and help them to deal with their difficulties in a more manageable way. Speech and language therapy has many benefits including:

The ability to communicate more effectively with others
Increased confidence and self esteem
Increased social opportunities
Improved quality of life

If you feel you would benefit from speech and language therapy or would like to book an appointment with one of our specialist speech and language therapists then please contact us by emailing office@asdclinic.co.uk.

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