Speech Therapy for Communication Skills for Children with CP

 Posted on July 05, 2024 in Cerebral Palsy

Difficulty forming words and speaking clearly, along with other speech and language disorders, are present in more than three-quarters of those with cerebral palsy. A lack of control of the throat, mouth, and tongue muscles can cause both children and adults with CP to experience excessive drooling. Receptive language involves what a child hears and how they understand what they hear. Expressive language is what a child says and how well they communicate with others.

Early communication interventions can significantly decrease the challenges associated with delays in speech and language. When a child cannot make themselves understood by others, it creates frustration and anger. The inability to communicate can cause self-isolation, temper tantrums, and other behavioral issues among younger children with cerebral palsy.

The inability to communicate in older children can cause them to withdraw, limit interactions with peers, and have low levels of self-confidence. Children with speech disorders caused by cerebral palsy may know what they want to say but are unable to translate their thoughts into spoken words.

Of course, all parents want their child to receive early intervention speech therapy, but it can sometimes be difficult to find these services. Since speech therapy can be expensive, it is often problematic for parents to pay for the therapy.  Speaking to an experienced birth injury attorney from Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. can help you find the therapies your child needs and the financial assistance necessary.

Skilled birth injury lawyers understand that raising a child with special needs can financially devastate a family. A knowledgeable lawyer can guide you through the legal process to pursue financial compensation for necessary treatments, including speech therapy.    

How Can Speech Therapy Help a Child with CP and Poor Communication Skills?

Most of us never think about the intricate process that takes place when we breathe, talk, chew, or swallow. Messages are sent and received to and from facial, throat, and neck muscles to coordinate these activities. While speech therapy definitely improves speech, language, and overall communication, the same therapy also improves chewing, swallowing, and the digestive process.

Speech therapy for a child with cerebral palsy enhances both verbal and non-verbal communication. Speech therapy also improves difficulties associated with chewing and swallowing. As a child progresses in speech therapy techniques, they show increased comprehension of language as well as an improved ability to express their thoughts.

What Types of Speech Therapy Are Used for Children with Cerebral Palsy?

There are many types of speech therapy, and your child’s therapy will be determined based on his or her level of communication skills, whether breathing, chewing, and swallowing could benefit from speech therapy and the child’s age. Some of the most common types of speech therapy include:

• Articulation therapy can involve physically manipulating the child’s mouth or tongue so that the child can produce specific sounds.
• Drills are an important part of speech therapy that involves repeating sounds, words, and phrases the child has had difficulty with. The repetitive nature of drills also strengthens the muscles involved in speaking.
• To help a child with cerebral palsy control his or her breathing during speech, the speech therapist will engage the child in blowing exercises involving blowing bubbles, cotton balls, or feathers.
• Breathing exercises help regulate breathing to minimize breathlessness and encourage speech. The child may be asked to take deep breaths in and out, breathe out slowly while saying a phrase, or hold the breath for a few seconds.
• Tongue exercises strengthen the tongue and encourage proper tongue placement. The therapist may have the child try to touch their chin or nose with their tongue, move the tongue from side to side, or stick the tongue out. 
• Like tongue exercises, jaw exercises strengthen the muscles in the jaw, helping the child chew and swallow food and drink liquids safely.
• Photos, objects, and books are used to help the child expand their vocabulary while also helping them pronounce words correctly.

Contact a Cook County, IL Birth Injury Lawyer

This is a time when you can significantly benefit from the support and guidance provided by a Chicago, IL birth injury lawyer from Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd.. If negligence contributed to or was the cause of your child’s cerebral palsy, then negligent healthcare providers must be held accountable. We have obtained numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of children suffering from birth injuries and their impacted families. Call Birth Injury Law Alliance, Ltd. at 312-462-4200 for a free consultation to see how we can help.