If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language, seeing a speech therapist on time is important. It will give your child the best chance to overcome challenges and return to normal life.

Some signs you need to see a speech therapist from (Kid Sense) Child Development include stuttering, dysarthria, and swallowing disorders. Swallowing disorders can be painful and debilitating, making eating or drinking safely hard.

1. Stuttering

Stuttering is a common speech disorder. It may happen when a person is young, or it can occur later in life. It can be frustrating and embarrassing for the person who stutters, and it can affect their relationships with others.

The causes of stuttering aren’t well understood. However, it’s a common speech disorder that tends to run in families. Researchers haven’t yet pinpointed a specific gene that causes stuttering, but we know that children who stutter often have relatives who do as well. We also know that stuttering tends to be more common in males than females.

If you or your child has a history of stuttering, it’s important to seek treatment early. It can help kids learn how to speak properly and reduce the impact of stuttering on their lives.

As children grow older, stuttering can become more difficult to deal with. It can cause embarrassment and make communicating harder in school and social situations. It can also prevent them from developing the social and emotional skills they need in adulthood.

While there are different types of stuttering, the most common type is developmental stuttering. It is most common in infants and toddlers and usually disappears as they grow up.

Another kind of stuttering is neurogenic stuttering, which is caused by damage to the brain or nerves that control speech. It’s usually treated with medication like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines.

Psychogenic stuttering is less common than other kinds and can happen in adults who have experienced emotional trauma or a psychiatric illness. This type of stuttering is marked by rapid repetition of the first part of words and a rise in voice pitch.

You’ll want to see a speech therapist Adelaide if you notice that your child is stuttering more frequently or longer than usual. They might also stutter with their facial movements or body movements when they speak, so it’s best to have your child seen as soon as possible.

You should also see a speech therapist if you or your child is having trouble with other aspects of communication, such as reading or understanding language. Finding a therapist with the experience and expertise needed for your particular situation is important.

2. Dysarthria

Dysarthria is a speech disorder that happens when muscles involved in speaking are weak or damaged. The disorder may occur after a stroke, brain injury or other conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases (diseases that affect parts of the brain).

People with dysarthria may have difficulty producing and understanding words or sentences. They can also slur, mumble or sound robotic when they talk.

A speech therapist can help you understand your speech and learn how to speak more clearly. They can teach you breathing techniques and muscle exercises to improve your ability to produce clear, smooth and natural-sounding speech.

You might have a physical examination to check your lips, jaw and tongue. The therapist will listen to you as you speak in short phrases, sentences and conversations. They will also watch you breathe and look at your face as you speak.

If your dysarthria is caused by medication, the therapist will work with you to reduce or stop the drug. They might prescribe a different type of medication or recommend a lower dose.

The therapist may refer you to a neurologist who will examine your symptoms and determine the cause of your dysarthria. Your neurologist might perform imaging tests, like an MRI or CT scan, to check for signs of nerve damage or other problems. They may also do a blood test and other tests to see if you have an infection or another health problem.

Many people with speech disorders have other medical problems that cause the same problems. For example, if you have a thyroid condition or asthma, your dysarthria might be a side effect of your medication for those conditions.

Your neurologist might refer you to a specialist treating other conditions, such as a mental health professional or a physical therapist. This person can help you manage the stress and anxiety caused by your dysarthria.

Sometimes, your neurologist may refer you to a speech-language pathologist who can help you understand your speech and suggest strategies for improving your communication skills. This specialist will evaluate your speech and identify the underlying cause of your dysarthria.

3. Speech Disorders in Adults

We often think of speech disorders in children, but adulthood can bring different difficulties that require a professional's attention. Many speech and language impairments are due to a congenital condition, while others happen due to a medical condition or injury.

A speech therapist can help you understand your communication issues and how to improve them. They can also provide you with coping skills to maintain your independence in daily life, including at work and home.

If you are experiencing difficulty with any of these speech issues, it’s important to see a qualified speech therapist as soon as possible. It is to avoid complications and other issues that can arise later, such as anxiety or depression.

Most adults with a speech disorder can be helped with therapy. They can use exercises that teach them how to correctly move their mouth, lips and tongue. They can also learn specialized articulation techniques designed to help people with certain speech disorders produce a certain sound in the right place.

An SLP will examine your symptoms, check for any medical conditions causing them and review your medical and family history. They may also perform tests to confirm the diagnosis.

One of the most common types of speech disorders is apraxia. A speech problem happens when the mouth, jaw and tongue muscles don’t control their movement. It can lead to words that don’t sound the same or have a different meaning.

Another type of speech disorder is dysarthria, which happens when the muscles in the jaw or tongue don’t move as well as they should. It can occur due to a stroke, multiple sclerosis or other nervous system disorders.

A speech therapist can teach you ways to talk more clearly and slowly and help you improve your pronunciation. They can also work with you on swallowing and breathing control if you are having trouble.

If you are a senior with difficulty communicating, it’s time to see a speech therapist for support. Getting help can make a big difference in how you feel and interact with others.

4. Vocal Cord Dysfunction

The vocal cords are two pieces of tissue that stretch across the larynx (voice box) to vibrate for speaking and singing. Normally, they open during breathing and close during swallowing.

If the folds do not open properly, air can be hard to get in or out of your lungs. This can cause trouble speaking, a hoarse voice and even a choking or suffocating feeling.

VCD, also called paradoxical vocal cord motion or paradoxical bronchospasm, is an uncommon but serious problem. It is often seen in children but can also affect adults.

A child with VCD might have problems when they breathe in, or they might hear a high-pitched whistling noise called stridor when they inhale. Unlike asthma, which causes a wheezing sound when you exhale, stridor is usually only heard when you inhale.

Patients with VCD are often misdiagnosed with asthma because the symptoms are so similar. It can lead to people taking asthma medications that don’t work and cause side effects.

The best way to find out if you have vocal cord dysfunction is to see a doctor who can evaluate your symptoms and do tests to look at your throat. The doctor will use a camera to see how your vocal cords move when you have trouble breathing.

Your doctor might also ask you to do a series of breathing exercises that will help you learn how to breathe correctly and relax your throat. Your doctor may also recommend a behavioural therapy program that helps you manage your stress to relieve your symptoms.

A health condition like allergies can also trigger your vocal cords to move improperly. Having these conditions under control can stop your symptoms.

If your doctor finds you have vocal cord dysfunction, they will refer you to a speech therapist. Your therapist will teach you breathing techniques to control your symptoms and prevent attacks from happening.

Vocal cord dysfunction can be triggered by several things, including exercise, certain foods, airborne irritants, allergy symptoms and sinusitis. It can also indicate an underlying mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety. Depending on the specifics of your condition, your therapist may recommend you seek psychotherapy or ask a psychiatrist to join your treatment team.