Speech and language therapy addresses the development of verbal and social communication skills.
The components of speech (verbal communication) include articulation (how speech sounds are made), voice, and fluency (rhythm of speech).
Language skills consist of knowing what words mean, how to make new words, how words go together, and what phrases are socially appropriate to use at certain times.
A person may have difficulty understanding what is said to him or her (receptive language delay) and/or have difficulty sharing thoughts and feelings (expressive language delay), ultimately affecting communication skills. Higher level communication skills are essential for academic success, including reading and writing.
