A little reminder about speech therapy

What is the field of intervention of speech therapy? What does each speech therapy exercise aim for? Let's answer these questions first before going further.

What is speech therapy?

As a paramedical discipline, speech therapy contributes to the treatment of language disorders. It is classified among care professions. The professional who practices this profession is a speech therapist, and their role is to engage in the treatment of disorders affecting language, whether spoken or written.

The speech therapist also participates in the prevention and assessment of disorders or learning difficulties.

In the field of speech therapy, professionals also intervene to maintain communication functions. The dimensions that speech therapy focuses on are: linguistic, social, psycho-affective, and cognitive.

What exactly needs to be worked on?

Doing speech therapy exercises at home requires proper information to hope to achieve the desired results. Indeed, each exercise aims to work on one aspect. It may involve, for example, voice, oral language, or language. Other exercises help to work on vocabulary, written language, as well as reading. Depending on the goal you wish to achieve, you can also work on jaw motor skills and language articulation. Not to mention exercises concerning spatio-temporal orientation, memory, logic, etc...

You must choose your exercises based on the different aspects to work on. Fortunately, speech therapy experts offer a myriad of exercises that can be done at home. However, it is advisable to opt for exercises tailored to the needs of each patient.

Why do speech therapy exercises at home?

When it comes to treating communication disorders, speech therapy plays an essential role. However, the session with the speech therapist is not limited to the walls of the office. Speech therapy exercises at home are increasingly recognized as a valuable complement to professional treatment. This section explores the compelling reasons why practicing at home is not only beneficial but also necessary.

Benefits of practicing at home

The benefits of practicing speech therapy exercises at home are numerous. First, the temporal and spatial flexibility offers invaluable convenience to individuals undergoing treatment. Being able to integrate the exercises into the daily routine facilitates regularity, a key element of any rehabilitation program. Moreover, the familiarity of the home environment creates a comfortable context that promotes relaxation and engagement, essential elements for successful sessions.

Reinforcement of the therapy learned in the office

Home exercises do not replace office sessions, but significantly complement them. They provide an opportunity to reinforce and extend the teachings of the speech therapist. By practicing at home, individuals can consolidate the skills acquired during professional sessions, ensuring a smooth continuity of treatment. It is a way to solidify the foundations laid in the office and accelerate the recovery process.

Involvement of loved ones in the healing process

Speech therapy is not limited to the relationship between the healthcare professional and the patient. Loved ones play a crucial role in supporting and ensuring the success of the treatment. Encouraging the practice of exercises at home directly involves family and friends in the healing process. Their active participation creates an essential support network, enhancing the patient's motivation and fostering a positive dynamic within the family environment.

Types of disorders that can benefit from home exercises

One of the most promising aspects of home speech therapy exercises is their adaptability to a variety of communication disorders. Whether it's speech difficulties, language problems, or swallowing disorders, regular practice at home can bring significant improvements. This section examines the different types of disorders that can benefit from this approach and offers specific suggestions for each category.

Speech disorders

Speech disorders, such as pronunciation difficulties, can often be alleviated by targeted home exercises. Simple activities aimed at strengthening the muscles involved in sound production, as well as specific pronunciation exercises, can help improve speech clarity. Regular repetitions, guided by appropriate resources, provide an accessible way to overcome these challenges.

Language disorders

For language disorders, home practice can include activities aimed at enriching vocabulary, strengthening verbal comprehension, and improving fluency of expression. Word games, riddles, and storytelling exercises can be playfully integrated into the daily routine, thus providing a stimulating platform for language development.

Swallowing disorders

Swallowing disorders can also benefit from specific home exercises. Techniques aimed at strengthening the muscles involved in the swallowing process, combined with dietary adjustments and fluid management practices, can help improve the safety and ease of swallowing. These exercises can be practiced under the supervision of a speech therapist and then continuously integrated at home.

Other disorders covered by speech therapy

In addition to the previous categories, other disorders covered by speech therapy can also find solutions in home exercises. This includes disorders related to voice, verbal fluency, and social communication. Individualizing exercises based on the specific needs of each person is crucial, thus highlighting the importance of a personalized approach in speech therapy treatment.

7 exercises to do at home

People with learning disorders or other difficulties can be assisted by a speech therapist. Some exercises can be performed at home. But you must act with full knowledge of the facts.

• Reading exercises

These exercises aim to boost reading skills in certain patients. They can help people with learning disorders, such as dysorthographia and dyslexia.

For example, use letter-based games. The parent can teach the child to recognize different letters and create words. Then, they will read each word or sentence to improve their reading. You can obtain cards and booklets to help the child learn to read syllables.

• Writing exercises

Knowing how to write requires good use of the fingers and the writing tool (the pen).

Parents can help their children with finger gymnastics. This involves making small movements with the fingers and hands. Indeed, there is a correlation between the brain and gestures. The child can perform a gentle massage of the fingers of one hand. You can also create finger combinations, for example, learning to combine the thumb with the index finger, middle finger, or little finger.

Additionally, there are games that involve moving marbles from one position to another. Here, the child will use a stylus. Finally, you will find manuals on the market that highlight speech therapy exercises to stimulate writing. The exercises are beneficial for people with dyspraxia.

Language exercises

To enrich vocabulary and improve language fluency, a series of activities can be integrated into the daily routine. Language-focused board games, regular readings, stimulating discussions, and even writing exercises can contribute to expanding linguistic skills. The use of educational resources, such as interactive apps, can also make these exercises more engaging.

• Exercises to work on breath and breathing

Speech therapists use different types of exercises to work on their patients' breathing and breath control. They rely on a variety of games to achieve their goals. Here are some interesting exercises in the context of speech therapy.

Breath and breathing work can be done using a bubble trumpet. You can also use "BLO Pens." Just blow into these airbrush markers to create beautiful drawings, like magic.

• Exercises to work on voice

In the field of speech therapy, a range of solutions is used to achieve results. These methods can be used at home. This is the case with singing. That’s why speech therapists do not hesitate to have their patients sing. Start with simple songs that the person can perform fairly easily. It’s not a music competition!

There are also published books to learn how to produce the right sounds. The reader must learn to hear their own voice in order to improve their pronunciation.

• Mathematics exercises

A child with dyscalculia needs exercises to improve in the field of mathematics.

The dyscalculia is a disorder that affects the ability to learn mathematics. Fun exercises will allow for manipulation of operations or calculations. Various games can help children become familiar with numbers. Parents can, for example, use a game software to work on mental calculations.

Use applications with speech therapy exercises at home to work on language, memory, reading, and spelling

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Integrating speech therapy into daily life: simple and natural routines

Speech therapy exercises are not limited to structured sessions or specialized games. It is entirely possible to integrate them into ordinary moments of the day. By transforming certain routines into learning opportunities, we reinforce skills in a fluid, playful, and effective manner.

During meals: working on language and swallowing

• Describe what we are eating: texture, color, taste, temperature. This helps to enrich vocabulary and structure speech.

  • Example: "The soup is hot, orange, and smells like carrot."

• Encourage verbalizing sensations to improve oral expression.

• Practice chewing and swallowing exercises recommended by the speech therapist.

On walks or in transport: stimulating attention and memory

• Play guessing games or category games: "What are all the animals you know?", or "Name words that start with the letter P".

• Ask the child or adult to describe what they see around them.

• Play the game “I see…”, to train description, syntax, and immediate memory.

During household tasks: promoting understanding and organization

• Give verbal instructions to follow, simple or complex depending on the person's level.

  • Example: "Go get the blue dishcloth and place it next to the sink."

• Encourage commenting on each action: "I am putting away the cutlery", "I am folding the laundry", etc.

• Sort or classify objects based on their shape, color, or function, to reinforce logic.

At bedtime: developing storytelling and sentence construction

• Offer time to recount the day, following a chronological order.

• Invent a short story together, taking turns.

• Read a short text aloud and ask comprehension questions to check attention.

The benefits of an integrated approach in daily life

• Less stress and more spontaneity: the child or adult does not feel the pressure of a formal “exercise”.

• Regular reinforcement of language and cognitive skills.

• Reinvestment of learning in concrete, useful, and motivating situations.

Practical tips for relatives

• Observe the times of day when the person is most receptive.

• Repeat often, without getting tired: regularity is more important than intensity.

• Always value efforts, even if they seem minimal.

• Adapt instructions to the person's concentration capacity and language level.