If your family is new to Speech Therapy, you may have questions about some of the terms commonly used. We know how important it is for you to feel confident about understanding your child's needs, so we are hear to explain every step of the way!
Speech
What is speech? Speech is how we say sounds and words including articulation, voice and fluency. through articulated sounds that come out of our mouths and noses (with help from our cranial nerves, lungs, vocal cords, throats, soft palates, teeth, facial and neck muscles and tongues).
Articulation
Articulation is how we make speech sounds by moving our tongue, lips, mouth and nose. Our cranial nerves, lungs, vocal cords, throats, soft palates, teeth, facial and neck muscles also contribute to articulation.
Voice
Voice involves the movement of our vocal folds and breath to make speech sounds. This movement allows our voice to vary from high pitch to low pitch and loud to soft.
Fluency
Fluency is the rhythm of our speech depending on the smoothness, rate and effort we use. It is natural to sometimes repeat sounds or pause during conversation. Individuals who do this frequently may stutter.
Language
Language consists of the words we choose to use to share ideas, feelings and advocate for what we want or need. Language often involves words and symbols and can be spoken, signed and/or written in order to communicate with each other.