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Home > Cerebral Palsy > Cerebral Palsy Treatment > Cerebral Palsy and Speech and
Language Therapy
Last Updated: January 24, 2024


CEREBRAL PALSY AND SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

Page Medically Reviewed and Edited by Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, M.D.
Fact Checked

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This article has been fact checked by a Board Certified Pediatrician. Sources of
information for the article are listed at the bottom.

For any content issues please Contact Us.

Speech and language therapy helps children with cerebral palsy by improving
communication. Speech therapy can also help children who struggle to eat and
swallow and those with breathing issues.


WHAT IS SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY?

Speech and language therapy is a type of therapy provided by trained, licensed
healthcare professionals called speech-language pathologists. They are also
sometimes called speech and language therapists.

These therapists assess, diagnose, and treat disorders related to language,
speech, communication, and swallowing. They use various exercises to improve
speech, breathing, and swallowing and to address specific disorders, including
aphasia, dyspraxia, and dysphagia.[1]
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. (2020, August 12). Whath Is
Speech Therapy? National Institutes of Health.
Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561506/


HOW DOES SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY HELP WITH CEREBRAL PALSY?

Speech therapy is a form of therapy that helps people improve their speaking
skills so that they can communicate more effectively. Children with cerebral
palsy often have speech impairment, ranging from mild to severe.

Not all children with cerebral palsy have speech issues, but they are common.
According to research, more than 75% of children with cerebral palsy have speech
and language disorders.[2]
National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke. (2023, November 28). Cerebral Palsy.
Retrieved from:
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Cerebral-Palsy-Hope-Through-Research

A licensed speech therapist works closely with each child to develop the best
individualized plan to help patients communicate more effectively. Speech
therapists typically provide children with exercises to help them understand
gestures, words, numbers, sounds, etc.

Speech therapists also help children with breathing, swallowing, and digestion
issues, which are common problems for children with cerebral palsy.


SPEECH THERAPY EXERCISES

Exercises for speech improvement may include teaching the child sign language,
communication through writing and painting, winking, voice synthesizers, picture
boards, and augmentative communication devices. These forms of treatment help
children address and improve issues such as:

 * Pronunciation skills
 * Vocabulary development
 * Listening skills
 * Comprehension and formation of words
 * Fluency
 * Direct conversation engagement
 * Mouth and throat issues

Speech therapy treatment depends on the child’s complete physical assessment
results. Since each child is unique, they will have different needs determined
during the assessment. The evaluation results will allow the therapist to create
an individualized plan for the child.


SPEECH THERAPY AND SWALLOWING ISSUES

Many children with cerebral palsy have a difficult time swallowing, known as
dysphagia. Dysphagia occurs due to physiological and neurological disorders and
irregularities in the throat.

Speech therapists assist children with dysphagia by working to reduce the
symptoms of the condition, which generally include choking on food and drinks,
breathing difficulties, excessive coughing, and pulmonary aspiration of food and
fluids.


OTHER ISSUES ADDRESSED BY SPEECH THERAPY

Numerous conditions can lead to speech problems. The goals of a speech and
language therapist are to address the associated conditions that cause speech
issues in the first place, including:

 * Stuttering
 * Dysphagia
 * Aphasia
 * Dyspraxia
 * Intonation and rhythm issues
 * Vocal tract problems
 * Dysarthria

There are many associated disorders that a therapist will help try to prevent or
reduce. Commonly associated disorders include:

 * Easily choking on foods and liquids
 * Extreme coughing
 * Pulmonary aspiration
 * Difficulties with breathing
 * Dehydration and malnutrition (typically because of choking on foods or
   liquids)


BENEFITS OF SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

Of course, communication is essential and one of life’s most enjoyable
experiences. It remains a big part of what shapes us into the personalities and
people we become. It forms experiences, connects people, and is part of the
larger human experience.

Children who have communication issues are already at a disadvantage. Still,
with the proper interventions from speech therapists, these issues can be dealt
with to help the child communicate properly.

The benefit of speech therapy is that the child will learn effective
communication methods, which will help them throughout life, including daily
living and social activities.

Other benefits include:

 * Learning
 * Ability to participate fully in school and home activities
 * Better relationship development with friends, peers, and family
 * Better socialization skills
 * Ability to communicate ideas consistently and effectively


WHO PROVIDES SPEECH THERAPY?

Speech therapists, or speech pathologists, conduct speech therapy sessions.
Speech pathologists generally hold a Master’s Degree in Speech and Language
Pathology. Most states require that they get certified through the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

To obtain ASHA certification, speech pathologists must complete numerous courses
dealing with the throat, mouth, speech, psychology, social work, and more.[3]
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Certification.
Retrieved from: https://www.asha.org/certification/

If your child with cerebral palsy struggles with speech or swallowing, ask your
medical team for a speech and language therapy referral.


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REFERENCES

 1. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. (2020, August 12).
    Whath Is Speech Therapy? National Institutes of Health.
    Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561506/
 2. National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders
    and Stroke. (2023, November 28). Cerebral Palsy.
    Retrieved from:
    https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Cerebral-Palsy-Hope-Through-Research
 3. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Certification.
    Retrieved from: https://www.asha.org/certification/

View All References

PAGE MEDICALLY REVIEWED AND EDITED BY PIERRETTE MIMI POINSETT, M.D.

Dr. Poinsett is a board certified pediatrician. She is a graduate of The
University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, and has over 20 years of
clinical experience. She has extensive experience in the case management of
children with special mental health and physical health care needs, including
developmental disabilities.

See Full Bio


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