Articulation therapy for Adults Near Skokie. IL

Articulation disorders is a type of speech-sound disorder.

Less common speech-sound disorders include apraxia and dysarthria.

Apraxia is a condition where an individual struggles with planning and executing oral movements. Apraxia can be caused by many things including traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and neurological disorders. Dysarthria, on the other hand, occurs when an individual’s speech sounds are distorted or slurred due to neuromuscular weakness, paralysis, or uncoordinated muscles required for speech production. Dysarthria can be caused by many things including brain injury and cerebral palsy. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in diagnosing and treating these conditions to enhance individuals' communication skills.

An articulation disorder is a speech-sound disorder that impacts an individual’s ability to produce certain sounds, resulting in challenges communicating clearly and effectively. This can make it challenging for listeners to comprehend what you are saying. Some common examples of articulation disorders include a lisp or producing a /w/ sound for an /r/.

The cause of an articulation disorder can be unknown, but listed are some common causes of an articulation disorder.

• Unresolved Speech Production Errors Since Childhood: Failure to address speech issues at a young age will often cause the articulation issues to persist into adulthood.

• Physical or Structural issues: Structural abnormalities or physical impairments impacting the speech muscles (such as the tongue, lips, palate, or jaw) can lead to challenges in producing clear speech. This may result from conditions like cleft palate, oral-motor weakness, or facial paralysis.

• Dental Appliances: Bite-plates, retainers, dentures, and other appliances can alter speech sound production.

• Developmental Disorders: Some adults may continue to struggle with articulation secondary to developmental disorders that were present since childhood (like childhood apraxia of speech or dysarthria)

• Hearing loss

• Low muscle tone

• Neurological Conditions: Neurological disorders or injuries impacting the brain’s control over speech production can cause issues with articulation. Some of these conditions include traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.

To assess an adult’s speech, a speech therapist may use the following methods:

1. Case History: The speech therapist will ask detailed questions about your medical, developmental, cognitive, and family history. This helps identify any risk factors for a speech-sound disorder.

2. Oral Peripheral Exam: The speech-language pathologist will assess your oral-motor skills, including the strength and range of motion of the tongue, lips, and jaw muscles. This is to rule out any anatomical abnormalities that may cause an articulation disorder.

3. Articulation Assessment: The speech therapist will evaluate your speech sounds in isolation, syllables, and in the beginning, middle, and end of words, as well as in phrases or sentences.

4. Receptive Language Assessment: The speech-language pathologist will evaluate how much you understand.

5. Expressive Language Assessment: The speech therapist will evaluate how much and how efficiently you use language.

Clear communication is vital in all areas of life, including work, education, and social interactions. In the workplace, it ensures that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, leading to more efficient teamwork and higher-quality results. For those with speech disorders, working with a speech-language pathologist can significantly enhance communication skills, making workplace interactions smoother and more productive.

In a college setting, clear communication is key to academic success. It enables students to effectively engage with professors and peers, leading to a better understanding of course material and more active participation in class discussions.

Socially, strong and clear communication skills are the foundation of meaningful relationships. Being able to express oneself clearly fosters better understanding and trust. For individuals improving their speech with the help of a speech-language pathologist, this translates to more positive and fulfilling social interactions.

Overall, clear communication is essential for success in professional, academic, and social environments. It not only improves the quality of interactions but also enhances one’s ability to fully engage in various aspects of life.