Fear of Public Speaking – Can Speech Therapy Really Help?

by Chris O Speech Therapist Speech Therapy Techniques

Image Courtesy of bestpublicspeaker.com

It is the number one fear, ranking above spiders and even death. Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, affects as many as 75% of the population to some degree. Sometimes also referred to as stage fright, this condition can leave people trembling, sweating profusely, with difficulty breathing, and stumbling through their words. While there are many different treatment options, including behavior therapies and hypnosis, people are also finding relief through various forms of speech therapy. Continue reading →

Can Food Allergies Cause Speech Disorders?

by Chris O Hearing Loss Language Development

Image Courtesy of dianaparkhurst.wordpress.com

It’s not hard to imagine that seasonal allergies can impact speech when you consider the usual symptoms – runny or stuffy nose, itchy throat, sneezing, and general congestion. Food allergies, however, should not be overlooked. Have you ever considered that the food you put into your body might just be affecting the way the words come out of your mouth? Food allergies are suspected of impacting speech development almost as much as seasonal allergies do, but the connection isn’t always as obvious. Continue reading →

The Connection Between Baby Bottles, Trismus, TMJ, and Speech Delays

by Chris O Language Development Speech Disorders Speech Therapist

Baby Bottle Mouth, Trismus, and TMj linked to speech disorders

Image Courtesy of unomasenlafamilia.com

The connection between dental health and speech is strong and can be seen in anyone from infants and toddlers all the way through adulthood. While the causes of dental and oral health problems might be different, they can all result in delayed or impaired speech and communication skills. “Baby bottle mouth”, trismus, and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can all impact a person’s ability to clearly communicate. Continue reading →

What to Expect At Your Child’s Auditory Screening

by Chris O Hearing Loss Language Development School Speech Disorders

Gone are the days when kids didn’t have hearing tests unless they were obviously struggling. Modern technology and knowledge about the auditory system have allowed healthcare professionals to develop many different ways to test children’s hearing – even just hours after birth. Many people also advocate for hearing auditory screenings as part of a wellness check before starting school. If your child is going to have an auditory screening, rest assured that the process won’t hurt, and it could have a tremendous impact on your child’s future. Even a small level of hearing loss can dramatically affect your child’s speech and language skills. There are different tests available for different ages of children, and different screening methods depending upon any symptoms or concerns you or your child’s teacher might have. Continue reading →

Expand Your Child’s Reading List this Summer

by Chris O Language Development School

Image Courtesy of visual.ly

School’s out for summer, but that doesn’t mean the books have to collect dust on the shelves. For kids with communication delays, this can actually be the best time of year to focus on reading more and developing the skills that are critical not only for literacy, but for oral communication. Reading proficiency is closely tied with the spoken language, so when you work on one aspect, you are able to reinforce the other. Don’t forget to add to your own reading list, too, because research shows that kids who live in households where the adults are reading are more likely to become literate as well. Continue reading →

Menu