Speech Therapists describe Speech and therefore speech difficulties as follows:
- The ability to physically produce sounds (Articulation) e.g. a child can’t say the ‘r’ sound
- The ability to produce sounds based on knowledge of sound rules and patterns (Phonology) e.g. a child can say the sound ‘r’ when asked but changes it to a ‘w’ when speaking (such as ‘rock’ becomes ‘wock’)
- The ability to produce sounds fluently without stuttering.
Speech Therapists may provide intervention for the following Speech Difficulties:
Articulation Disorders
This might be a difficulty with pronunciation i.e. a child can’t say the sound t’ or can’t say lots of different sounds. This is an articulation disorder.
Phonological Disorders
This is where a child has difficulty with sound rules. For example, a child may be able to say the ‘ t’ sound when asked, but he/she then says the ‘k’ sound instead when speaking. This is a phonological disorder known as ‘backing’. That is the child is saying sounds at the back of the mouth that should be said at the front of the mouth.
Dypraxia
This is a motor Speech disorder where the brain fails to coordinate plans for specific actions. There are two different types of Apraxia:
Oral Apraxia- a person has problems making voluntary movements of mouth muscles.
Verbal Apraxia- the person has problems with their ability to plan and program voluntary movements to say sounds and words.
Apraxia of Speech can be developmental (present from birth) or acquired.
Testimonials
‘Having Speech Therapy in school is so convenient. It saves me time,energy, and money. I don’t have to travel for the appointment. Frances does half hour sessions to keep the cost down. The school and home are coordinated in implementing the therapy programme. Frances is adaptive,imaginative, and thorough. Her goals are clear and realistic. She gives practical advice and guidance on how to implement her programme at school and at home’
Valerie Vaughan, Tipperary
I would just like to say that I found the service to be very beneficial. Frances was more than helpful with information about the resources available to my son. My son found Frances to be a lovely person, in his words “she’s cool”.I emailed Frances on short notice to get an assessment done and she was more than willing to help me out. Frances was very kind to my son made him feel very at ease and also made me feel at ease. I would recommend her services to anyone.
C. Moloney, Co. Clare