Benefits Of Speech Therapy For Both Adults And Children

April 25, 2022
Benefits Of Speech Therapy For Both Adults And Children

Is your child experiencing delays in learning speech and language? Do you experience language-based difficulties (such as stuttering) or other issues such as problems swallowing?


Well, you're not alone — it is estimated that 5 to 10 percent of any country's population experience speech-related problems, and the same applies to Malaysia!


That means about 2 million Malaysians need speech therapists. Yet the awareness of speech therapy is worryingly low in Malaysia!


So, what is speech therapy? How can it help both adults and children?


In this article, we'll explore the role of speech therapy in helping both children and adults overcome challenges in either speech, language skills or physiological problems such as difficulty swallowing.


How Does Speech Therapy Work?

Speech therapy involves working with speech therapists or pathologists. 


They are health professionals who help people with a range of speech and vocal cord-related difficulties, including issues with voice, using and understanding language, fluency, reading, writing, eating and drinking.


In fact, both children and adults may experience communication difficulties.


This often leads to mental health issues and developing behavioural problems, causing poor self-esteem, struggling to maintain social relationships and sustaining full-time employment.

Speech Pathologists Conduct Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists will usually follow a treatment pathway as below:New Paragraph:

  • Assessment of the case history, including medical status, education, socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds as well as securing information from teachers and other related service providers
  • Patient/client/student and family interview
  • Review of auditory, visual, motor, and cognitive status
  • Measuring specific aspects of speech, spoken and non-spoken language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing function
  • Identification of potential for effective intervention strategies and compensations
  • Conducting follow-up services in order to monitor communication and swallowing status
  • Ensuring the appropriate intervention and support for individuals with identified speech, language, cognitive-communication, and/or swallowing disorders are taken


Who Can Benefit From Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy has been recognised to benefit numerous conditions regardless of age or gender.


Here is a list of conditions that can greatly benefit from speech therapy:

  • Newborns who are born with a cleft palate
  • Pre-schoolers who are slow to talk
  • Children who have difficulty with speech and written expressions, or with understanding what is said to them (developmental language disorder)
  • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • People with hearing loss
  • People who stutter
  • Professional voice users (teachers, singers)
  • People with acquired brain injuries
  • People who have had a stroke
  • People who have difficulty drinking and eating without choking
  • People with an intellectual disability such as down syndrome
  • People who need an augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) device to speak or communicate more easily. 
Benefit From Speech Therapy

What Are The Benefits Of Speech Therapy?New Paragraph


Greatly-improved socialisation skills

While therapy helps children develop skills such as matching emotions to faces and conversation, it also helps with understanding nonverbal body language.


Think of it as learning different ways to communicate with different people in a variety of settings.


This helps a child (or even an adult) build stronger connections and more fulfilling, lasting relationships. 


Enhance a person's ability to communicate

Speech therapy can help both children and adults to communicate their needs and wants.


By developing a child at any stage of educational development or an adult's ability to communicate, speech therapy can open up plenty of opportunities in life!


Improve a person's cognitive development

As the human brain is tied together when it comes to speech, voice, thinking and reasoning activities, improved speech skills often translate to improved cognitive development.


That's aided by the fact that speech pathologists also teach reasoning and problem solving skills to improve comprehension and thought.


Develop much improved reading and writing abilities

Speech therapists can also address a person's literacy (aka reading, writing, and spelling).


While it might often be thought to be the responsibility of a school teacher, a speech therapist is trained to identify the challenges faced and to approach instruction with systematic, evidence-based methodologies.


Gradually improve or resolve food consumption issues

Speech therapy can address swallowing difficulties that plague both children and adults.


In fact, some children have problems eating because the muscles in their mouths are unable to do what they need to do to hold, chew, and swallow food.


Speech therapists can identify where the breakdown is taking place to strengthen those muscles and improve coordination.


Improved oral speech patterns

Speech therapy can help those who rely on their voice as a career or correct a person's tone of voice!


That's because there are voices out there that may sound flat or robotic, lacking intonation or emotion.


Using a wrong tone of voice or speech pattern can cause misunderstandings, but your speech pathologist can help!


Choose Well Rehab as your preferred centre for speech therapy in Malaysia

Difficulties with voice, speech and language can seriously affect the quality of everyday life in both adults and children.


At Well Rehab, we can help you address these issues with professional treatments.


As Malaysia's leading provider of speech therapy and physiotherapy services, we are the preferred, qualified and certified professionals that are trusted nationwide.


For more information about our therapies or services in Malaysia, you may contact us at +60 12 512 8487 or email wellrehabmanagement@gmail.com

The Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Special Needs Children in Malaysia

By Wei Qing Lee • June 23, 2024
In Malaysia, the need for specialized care for special needs children is growing, and occupational therapy stands out as a vital service. This therapy helps children with various physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges improve their skills and lead more independent lives. This article explores the numerous benefits of occupational therapy for special needs children in Malaysia, offering insights and success stories to illustrate its impact.  Understanding Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy (OT) is a client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. For special needs children, OT involves helping them perform essential daily activities, improving their physical, sensory, and cognitive skills. Techniques used in occupational therapy can include play therapy, sensory integration, and developmental activities designed to enhance fine and gross motor skills. Benefits for Special Needs Children Enhancing Daily Living Skills Occupational therapists work with children to develop the skills needed for daily living. This can include tasks such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene. By improving these skills, children gain greater independence and confidence. Improving Fine and Gross Motor Skills Fine motor skills involve the coordination of small muscles, such as those in the hands and fingers, while gross motor skills involve larger muscle groups used for activities like walking and jumping. Occupational therapists use targeted exercises and activities to strengthen these skills, enabling children to participate more fully in everyday activities. Boosting Cognitive Functions Occupational therapy also addresses cognitive functions, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Therapists use a variety of techniques to help children develop these abilities, which are crucial for academic success and daily living. Success Stories in Malaysia Several families in Malaysia have witnessed significant improvements in their children's abilities through occupational therapy. For instance, a child with autism who struggled with sensory processing and social interactions might, through consistent OT sessions, develop better sensory tolerance and improved social skills. Another example could be a child with cerebral palsy who, with the help of an occupational therapist, gains better control over their movements and becomes more independent in performing daily tasks. Conclusion The benefits of occupational therapy for special needs children in Malaysia are profound and far-reaching. From enhancing daily living skills to improving motor and cognitive functions, occupational therapy can make a significant difference in the lives of special needs children and their families. If you are a parent of a special needs child, consider exploring occupational therapy as a valuable resource for your child's development and independence.

How Occupational Therapy Supports Special Needs Education in Malaysian Schools

By Wei Qing Lee • June 23, 2024
Special needs education in Malaysia is evolving, with an increasing emphasis on integrating occupational therapy (OT) into the school system. This approach not only supports the educational needs of special needs children but also enhances their overall development. This article delves into how occupational therapy supports special needs education in Malaysian schools, helping both teachers and students achieve better educational outcomes. Integration in Schools Occupational therapy in schools involves the collaboration of occupational therapists with educators to create an inclusive learning environment. Therapists work within the school setting to assess students' needs, develop individualized intervention plans, and implement strategies that support learning and participation in school activities. Support for Teachers and Students Helping Teachers Adapt Lessons One of the critical roles of occupational therapists in schools is to assist teachers in adapting lessons to meet the needs of special needs students. This can involve modifying classroom activities, providing alternative teaching materials, and suggesting strategies to manage sensory and behavioral issues. By making these adjustments, teachers can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Providing Students with Coping Strategies Occupational therapists equip students with strategies to cope with classroom challenges. This can include sensory integration techniques to help children manage sensory overload, exercises to improve focus and attention, and tools to enhance fine motor skills required for writing and other tasks. These strategies enable students to participate more fully in classroom activities and improve their academic performance. Programs and Initiatives Several programs and initiatives in Malaysian schools incorporate occupational therapy to support special needs education. These programs often involve multidisciplinary teams working together to address the diverse needs of students. For example, schools may have dedicated sensory rooms designed by occupational therapists to provide a safe and controlled environment for children to manage sensory issues. Additionally, collaborative efforts between therapists and educators ensure that each child's unique needs are met through personalized education plans.  Conclusion Occupational therapy plays a crucial role in supporting special needs education in Malaysian schools. By helping teachers adapt lessons and providing students with coping strategies, occupational therapists contribute to a more inclusive and effective educational environment. The integration of OT into the school system ensures that special needs children receive the support they need to succeed academically and develop essential life skills. For parents and educators, recognizing the value of occupational therapy can make a significant difference in the educational journey of special needs children.

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