Speech Disorders

Natasha Lynch

A speech disorder refers to any condition which affects the way a person is able to create and form words. Speech, language and communication are some of the most important things in everyday life. To be understood we must understand. We communicate what we need, what we know and what we want. Learning speech and communication as a child lies the foundations of all relationships, developments and achievements. It allows children to learn, without the basics of listening, talking and understanding a child is unable to learn new things like reading and writing. From childhood all the way through adulthood a person with a speech disorder will struggle. Try to think of a day where you have not communicated or spoken to someone. I doubt there are many and if there are I guarantee it was pretty lonely. Or imagine if every time you went to say a word or sentence different words came out- frustrating right? This is living with a speech disorder. 

Types of speech disorders:
- The most common but minor speech disorder is stuttering. This is when the flow of speech is interrupted. This can be by repetitions, blocks (when the words get stuck ie cant form the right sound) or prolongations (stretching and drawing words out). These are usually most severe when under extreme stress, excitement or anger. 
- Apraxia is a motor speech disorder caused by damage to the part of the brain required for speaking.
- Dysarthria is also a motor speech dingder in which the muscles of the mouth, the face may become weak or have difficulty moving. People suffering from this may experience slurred speech, mumbling, and difficulty moving the tongue and mouth. 

A speech disorder can develop at any time throughout a person's life. They can be caused by many different things: brain damage, stroke, muscle weakness, dementia, cancer of the throat or mouth, autism are just some examples. There are certain factors that increase a person's risk of developing a speech disorder like being male, being born prematurely, having a low birth weight, having a family history of the disorder, or experiencing problems with the ears, throat or mouth. 
The type of treatment will typically depend on the severity of the speech disorder and its underlying cause. Speech therapy exercises that focus on building familiarity with certain words or sounds and Physical exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles that produce speech sounds are some examples.

In summary, we need to better understand speech disorder so we are able to help people suffering to communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas. Speech disorders can affect a person's self-esteem and overall quality of life. However, speech therapy, breathing exercises, and, sometimes, anti-anxiety medications can help improve speech and reduce symptoms, therefore these should be continued even if the speech improves.
Thanks for reading. 

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