Speech and language therapy provides life-changing treatment, support 
and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing.
Speech and language therapists (SLTs) are allied health professionals. They work closely with parents, carers and other professionals, such as teachers, nurses, occupational therapists and doctors.
What is the Desired Outcome of Speech Therapy?
The main goal of speech therapy is to improve communication – mainly, to make sure you can be understood in the wider world. Some of the goals of speech therapy might include:
- Improving coordination of speech muscles through strengthening exercises, such as pushing the tongue against a tongue depressor, and training exercises involving sound repetition and imitation
- Improving communication between the brain and the body through visual and auditory aids such as mirrors and tape recorders
- Improving fluency through breathing exercises
What are the Benefits of Speech Therapy?
The goal of speech therapy is simple enough — improved skills that will allow you to communicate more effectively. There are other benefits as well. These can include:
- Improvement in the ability to understand and express thoughts, ideas and feelings
- Intelligible speech so you can understood by others
- Increased ability to problem-solve in an independent environment
- Improved swallowing function and safety;
- Development of pre-literacy skills
- Improved vocal quality
- Fluent speech
- Development of practical social skills
- Better quality of life
- Greater self-esteem
- Increased independence