Speech & Language
Understanding Disorders and Therapies
Childhood Apraxia of Speech
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is an uncommon speech disorder in which a child has difficulty making accurate movements when speaking. In CAS, the brain struggles to develop plans for speech movement.
Speech Sound Disorders
Speech sound disorders include problems with articulation (making sounds) and phonological processes (sound patterns).
What is Dysarthria?
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder. The muscles of the mouth, face, and respiratory system may become weak, move slowly, or not move at all after a stroke or other brain injury.
Causes include stroke, head injury, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. It affects both children and adults.
What is Stuttering?
Stuttering affects fluency. Characterized by disruptions or "dysfluencies" like repetitions, it can impede communication when frequent.
It impacts daily activities, causing some to limit participation or hide their speech. Communication difficulties may occur at home, school, or work.
Language-Based Learning Disability
These are problems with age-appropriate reading, spelling, and/or writing. This disorder is not about intelligence; most diagnosed individuals have average to superior intelligence.
San Diego Occupational Therapy now offers individualized speech and language therapy services to help your child flourish.
The Role of a Speech & Language Pathologist
An SLP evaluates, diagnoses, and treats disorders related to speech, language, feeding, fluency, social skills, and cognitive-communication.
Signs of Speech Delay
- Not speaking as much as peers or not at all
- Difficulty understanding your child’s communication
- Using negative behaviors (hitting, biting) to communicate
Why Speech in a Sensory Clinic?
Research shows that engaging in multi-sensory input – such as swinging, jumping, and rolling – while engaging in speech tasks improves results.
Sensory integration therapy activates brain centers responsible for speech. Utilizing this approach helps your child achieve therapy goals faster!
ADHD & Speech
ADHD is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood, often co-occurring with speech issues.
ADHD affects 3–5% of school-aged children. Symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity can persist into adulthood.
Assessment
Crucial specialized testing to differentiate from anxiety, learning disabilities, or other mood problems.
Treatment
Beyond medication, we offer treatments targeting the root problem: reduced activity in brain attention networks.
Support
Family therapy and parent groups help you manage the challenges of raising a child with ADHD.