Assessment and Therapy Services

Our Speech Pathologists (SPs) don't just focus on words! We take a holistic approach, understanding that communication is intricately linked to a person's overall well-being. This means we consider factors like sleep, breathing, and feeding when treating our clients. Here's how these seemingly separate areas can impact communication:

​

Sleep: A good night's rest is crucial for cognitive function, which directly affects our ability to understand and use language. Insufficient sleep can lead to decreased attention, memory problems, and difficulty forming clear thoughts – all of which can hinder communication. An SP can screen for sleep issues and recommend strategies for better sleep hygiene or refer to a sleep physician for a comprehensive assessment.

 

Breathing: Correct breathing is the foundation for clear speech production, and the way we breathe can significantly impact our voice and speech clarity. Our bodies are designed for nasal breathing. Nasal passages filter air, warm and humidify it, and regulate airflow – all crucial for healthy vocal cord function. Mouth breathing, on the other hand, can dry out the vocal cords, leading to vocal fatigue and hoarseness. Mouth breathing can also lead to a low tongue posture and oral placement errors.  An optimal tongue rest posture has the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth behind the upper front teeth. A low tongue posture, where the tongue rests on the bottom of the mouth, can contribute to articulation difficulties.

 

Our SPs are trained in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, which focuses on retraining correct oral rest posture and nasal breathing. If airway obstruction is suspected (ie. enlarged adenoids and/or tonsils), an SP may recommend a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. 

​

Feeding: For young children, oral motor skills developed through feeding are essential for speech development. The muscles used for chewing and swallowing are also used for forming sounds and manipulating the tongue. An SP might incorporate feeding strategies or exercises to strengthen oral motor skills as part of a speech therapy plan.

​

By considering these interconnected aspects, SPs can create a more comprehensive treatment plan. Let's look at some examples:

​

A child with a lisp might also be a mouth breather with a low tongue posture. The SP could incorporate nasal breathing exercises and tongue placement therapy alongside traditional articulation practice.

​

A toddler with a feeding aversion might have underdeveloped oral motor skills that impact speech production. The SP could work with the family on feeding strategies that also promote oral motor development.

​

This holistic approach ensures that our SPs address the root causes of a client's challenges, leading to more effective and lasting results. It's a team effort, and SPs often collaborate with other healthcare professionals like occupational therapists, dentists/orthodontists, ENT, chiropractors/physiotherapists, sleep physicians, psychologists and doctors to create a well-rounded treatment plan for each client.

​