Primary care providers recommend pediatric speech/language therapy for difficulties learning speech and/or language that do not develop by themselves. A primary care provider may also refer a child with feeding difficulties. Speech/Language therapy provides benefits for many problems including:

• Correctly produce speech sounds, so the child is easily understood.
• Building understanding of language, so the child is able to follow directions easily.
• Teaching language expression, so the child can speak in sentences.
• Building vocabulary, so the child uses a wide variety of words.
• Train the use of fluent speech when a child stutters.
• Help a child learn to eat a variety of foods and liquids.
• Decrease coughing and gagging when eating.

What are the common communication problems adults experience?

• Aphasia: Reduced ability to understand or to express ideas.
• Dysarthria: Muscle weakness which impairs the ability to speak clearly.
• Apraxia: Impairment in sequencing of muscle movement for speech.
• Memory: Difficulty recalling recent events.
• Swallow Disorders: Include managing food orally or difficulty in swallowing. A swallowing disorder may cause coughing, choking, drooling, pocketing, or pneumonia.
• Voice: Controlling voice quality.