Although it is not uncommon for children just learning how to speak to show trouble with certain sounds, most children grow out of this before they reach puberty. However, some speech disorders are more pronounced than others and it can quickly become clear when one is not about to go away without the help of speech therapy programs. There are many skills required to make effective speech, such as articulation and intelligibility, and the right speech therapist will work with your child to ensure that he or she receives the best help possible. By knowing how they can help, you may feel more at ease calling on this type of professional.
Expressive Language Skills
While speech involves the physical motor ability to talk, language is a symbolic creation governed by rules used to convey a message from one person to another. In English, the symbols can be words, either spoken or written. There are also symbols that are conveyed through physical expression, such as a shrug or shaking your head. Expressive language refers directly to what your child says rather than how he or she says it. Speech therapy programs in Salt Lake City, Utah become necessary when your child shows that he or she cannot easily learn new words and put them together to form phrases and sentences. Your child may be able to articulate well, but he or she may be having trouble associating meaning and order to the words that he or she knows. Click here to learn more about the services offered.
Receptive Language and Listening
Receptive language, or your child’s ability to listen and understand language, is often the strongest skill a child has, even over expressive skills. Speech therapy programs help to teach your child new vocabulary words and how to use that new knowledge to follow directions, answer questions, and participate in simple conversations with his or her peers. Calling ahead should help you learn what to expect from your first consultation.