Tuesday, January 27, 2015

How Speech Language Pathologists In Houston TX Improve Client Communications Skills

By Janine Hughes


People who have problems speaking or understanding language often also have trouble completing an education, finding and holding a job, or even interacting casually with others. Many face a lifelong struggle against personal obstacles standing in the way of learning, understanding, and speaking. Speech language pathologists in Houston TX are trained to help those people achieve their full individual potential for communicating clearly and understandably.

Sometimes referred to as SLPs, they work with both adults and young children to make an accurate assessment of individual related problems and issues. They assist in diagnosing and treating problems with the physical production of sounds, issues with understanding individual spoken words, trouble with cognition, and even certain types of problems swallowing. Most hold an advanced degree, and are certified clinically.

While many people associate this type of work with childhood learning disorders, individuals of all ages benefit from these services. A pathologist in this field usually works with other key personnel as a team, assisting adults who have developed audiological problems related to hearing and balance, providing important physical therapy for those who have injury-related problems, and giving psychological support for those with mental health issues.

Increasingly, pathologists are dealing with the effects of traumatic brain injury, either from an accident or as a result of combat. They provide the latest clinical response to relearning the brain functions necessary for communicating with meaning and expression, and include the families of victims in order to help them also understand the obstacles being faced. They help disoriented patients become less confused, and bolster social skills and memory retention.

Very young children diagnosed with individual learning and communications problems that are related to physical issues also can benefit. Some infant children suffer from delayed development and poor nutrition due to congenital problems that affect the swallowing mechanism, but can be given appropriate help in overcoming that disability. Other children lag seriously behind in initial speaking skills, and receive therapy that improves that capability.

More children today have autism than in previous eras, and many young people also live with similar syndromes that may affect spoken communication and understanding. They endure disorders that complicate articulation and pronunciation, or are hampered by the inability to interact socially, or to simply play with others. A pathologist can also help children who suffer from stuttering, or experience other types of delayed development.

Pathologists work together with school personnel to conduct important screening tests that help determine which children need individual attention most urgently. They evaluate verbal and reading levels, and can make decisions regarding special funding for treatment. Many times these specialists work together with other team-members to devise individually targeted programs that involve specialized therapies designed to prevent current problems from lasting into adulthood.

The results can be monitored to assess how completely or rapidly newly learned skills are being used or developed. Regular consultations with a pathologist helps both teachers and parents understand how a particular child is communicating, and which problems to address. Teachers receive information regarding individual children, and use that information to help those young people reach their personal development goals.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment