by Denys Trowbridge

Created on: October 24, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2008

Navigating the maze of doctors and disorders that your child has to find appropriate diagnosis and treatment can be difficult. Speech disorders involve the mechanics of language. It is the muscles involved in articulation. The treatment usually focuses on strengthening those oral muscles. Therapy can include licking peanut butter off a popsicle stick,bubble painting or sucking applesauce through a straw.

Language therapy is the therapy that focuses more on teaching concepts and ideas,storytelling, answering questions or formulating ideas through play based activities and games. It is the way the brain processes language.

Some children process information better visually rather than audit-orally. PECS uses pictures that a child can point to and let an adult know what he wants. Sign language can do the same thing, but may be more difficult for a child with motor issues to reproduce. Both methods reduce frustration and can even eventually generate speech and independent behavior.

When speech therapy in young children is needed because of a processing disorder alternative therapies may be beneficial for the generation of speech. Some of the processing disorders manifest themselves in disorders like expressive and receptive language delays, apraxia, word retrieval issues, dyslexia, verbal and nonverbal language disorders and even memory issues.

Alternative therapies that can be controversial, but may prove effective are things like movement therapy. There is evidence to suggest that treating movement and motor planning issues will help to open up or strengthen neural pathways and improve speech. Sometimes you can find a speech therapist who understands this or who will work in conjunction with an O.T. or P.T.

In the same vein as movement therapy hippo therapy uses horseback riding as another type of movement therapy. Some therapeutic riding centers will employ a speech therapist. And children connect to animals.

Cranio-sacro therapy is also sometimes beneficial in helping with processing difficulties. Sometimes a child will have a misshapen head. It can apply undue pressure on the brain and affect the processing of the brain. So if treated it can contribute to the remediation of the problem. This works best with young children whose sutures are still open by applying gentle pressure on the misshapen portion of the head daily if possible, but at least once a week for 15-20 minutes or as long as it is tolerated until the problem is re-mediated.

Whatever you choose to try be patient and have fun!

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