Articulation disorders involve difficulties in producing specific speech sounds correctly. Individuals with articulation disorders may substitute, distort, omit, or add sounds in their speech, making communication challenging.

A speech therapist helps by assessing the specific sounds a person struggles with and developing personalized exercises to improve pronunciation. Through targeted practice, individuals can improve clarity and communication skills, fostering better social and academic interactions.

Language disorders are conditions that impact a person’s ability to understand (receptive language) or use words effectively (expressive language) to communicate. Individuals with language disorders may struggle with vocabulary, sentence structure, following directions, or expressing ideas coherently, which can affect social interactions, academic performance, and daily functioning.

A speech therapist assists by first assessing the individual's unique language needs and then using evidence-based techniques to build language skills.

Fluency disorders, such as stuttering or cluttering, disrupt the smooth, natural flow of speech. People with fluency disorders may repeat sounds or words, prolong certain sounds, or experience pauses that interrupt communication. These disruptions can cause frustration and impact social and emotional well-being.

A speech therapist helps by identifying the type and severity of the fluency disorder and creating personalized strategies to improve speech flow.

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. These skills enable us to manage time, plan, organize, and regulate our thoughts and actions to accomplish tasks. People with executive functioning challenges may struggle with tasks like following multi-step directions, managing time, or adapting to new situations.

A speech therapist assists by developing strategies to strengthen these cognitive skills. Therapy might involve exercises to improve attention, problem-solving, organization, and planning skills, often tailored to real-life situations like school or work.

Central auditory processing (CAP) refers to the brain's ability to understand and interpret sounds from the environment, including speech. Individuals with central auditory processing disorders (CAPD) may have normal hearing but struggle to distinguish, understand, or remember auditory information, especially in noisy settings. This can impact their ability to follow conversations, directions, and learn effectively.

Therapy may involve exercises to strengthen listening comprehension, auditory memory, and sound discrimination. Additionally, therapists may introduce coping strategies and environmental modifications to enhance understanding in challenging listening situations.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) involves developing skills to recognize and manage emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and communicate effectively. These skills are crucial for personal well-being and social interactions, impacting success in both academic and personal areas.

A speech therapist can support SEL by helping individuals develop stronger communication and social skills, such as understanding body language, practicing empathy, and expressing emotions clearly. Therapy often includes role-playing, perspective-taking exercises, and techniques to manage emotions in social contexts. By enhancing these skills, speech therapy helps individuals build meaningful connections, navigate social situations, and foster emotional resilience.