Where to Treat Speech Disorders?

Question

What should be done when a child has a speech disorder caused by congenital or acquired structural abnormalities of the speech organs?

Answer

A speech disorder refers to a speech impediment caused by congenital or acquired structural abnormalities of the speech organs, as well as neurological and muscular impairments. It can also involve language disorders that do not exist due to structural, neurological, muscular, or hearing impairments. The main symptoms may include complete inability to speak, abnormal voicing, disordered articulation, abnormal pitch and volume, and unclear pronunciation. It does not include speech impediments caused by aphasia, delayed language development in children, or hearing impairments. Treatment for speech disorders can be designed differently according to the type of disorder and can also be tailored to different language expressions. From the perspective of current speech therapy, the focus of treatment is often on abnormal language expression rather than treating based on the type of speech disorder.