Language and Speech Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy is a branch of science that covers the evaluation and treatment of language, speech, communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults and the improvement of quality of life.

Who is a Speech and Language Therapist (SLP)?

A Speech and Language Therapist works on the development of communication, language, speech, voice and swallowing functions and the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of problems in these areas. It also aims to increase the quality of life of individuals by conducting scientific research in this field.

Fields of Speech and Language Therapy

• Speech Sound Disorders (Articulation, Phonological Disorder, Childhood Apraxia of Speech): The inability of the individual to produce certain sounds in the correct position during speech.
• Fluency Disorders (Stuttering, Tachyemia): Impairment of speech in terms of continuity, smoothness, speed and effort.
• Motor Speech Disorders (Apraxia, Dysarthria): Deficiencies in the muscle groups necessary for speech due to neurological reasons.
weakness and coordination disorders.
• Dyslexia: A learning disorder that manifests itself with difficulties in listening, speaking, reading, writing and mathematical abilities.
• Speech and Language Disorders Due to Hearing Impairment: Language and speech disorders that develop due to hearing loss.
• Speech Disorder Due to Cleft Lip and Palate: Speech problems caused by congenital structural disorders.
• Developmental Speech and Language Disorder: The child's receptive and expressive language skills do not develop at the expected level.
• Voice Disorders (Hoarseness, Nodules, Mutational Falsetto): The voice is bad use, voice problems that occur after trauma or surgical procedures.
• Acquired Language Disorders (Aphasia, Parkinson's, Dementia): Language disorders that occur as a result of damage to the brain.
• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors.
• Cognitive / Attention Disorders: The individual has difficulty performing cognitive operations and sustaining attention.
• Chewing and Swallowing Disorders: Difficulties experienced in the processes of chewing, swallowing and conveying food to the stomach.

Therapy Process

During the speech and language therapy process, various evaluations are made depending on the reason for the client's application and the therapist's observations. In line with these evaluations, a therapy plan appropriate for individual characteristics, needs and requests is created. Development is continuously evaluated throughout the process and changes are made to the therapy plan if necessary.

Age Groups That Speech and Language Therapists Work With

Speech and Language Therapists can work with individuals of all ages, from birth onwards. Every individual in society can be a speech and language therapy client.