Speech therapy is a treatment for children with a speech disability. The disability may include problems in understanding verbal or non-verbal language and speaking words.

If you see a delay in the communication signs, such as smiling in response, babbling and playing with other people, in babies of 3-12 months of age, you should consult a speech therapist. It is good to diagnose the problem as early as possible and initiate treatment.

The diagnosis of speech delay may take a long time; hence, it is best to provide speech therapy at home. You can give speech therapy at home by spending 40 minutes of play with your child, responding when he/she makes a sound, using flashcards, talking while doing activities, such as bathing, feeding or dressing.

Speech therapy helps improve
(1) Communication skills
(2) Language understanding
(3) Flow of speech
(4) Error in sounds
(5) Speech clarity
(6) Language issues such as dyslexia or dyspraxia
(7) Difficulty with eating or drooling

There are different speech therapies for various problems:
(1) Playing and motivating the child to talk for a 'late talker'
(2) Intensive speech practising for kids with apraxia
(3) Rehearsing slow speech for stuttering issues
(4) Group therapy, drills, gesture and writing for kids with aphasia
(5) Facial exercises for kids with difficulty in swallowing