Tools and materials used in speech therapy enhance speech clarity and feeding skills in people of all ages. Tools and materials teach correct tongue positioning for sounds like L, CH, R, S and SH. They also develop a huge range of skills like articulation, stuttering or stammering, sensory and learning skills. These tools also help in speech therapy exercises at home. There are different types of tools and material available for speech and language disorder and some of them are mentioned below.
Different kinds of speech therapy tools and material for kids
- Speech therapy dual mirror – It has two sides, one side has a larger mirror for the entire face. And the other side is smaller for better concentration of the mouth while practising. Most of the time children love to learn and understand their own facial expressions. This method not only help in learning articulation but also about the increases body parts awareness and understand other people expressions. Most of the time while playing kids flip the mirror then the other side of the mirror slightly twist the reflection.
- Flashcards – Flashcards are the small cards that contain very little information like word and numbers.This information is written on one side or the other. One person usually write the question on one side and other person write the answer on the other. They are used for vocabulary building, historical dates and any subject formula. Parents often use flashcards in language training with the main focus on teaching new words. They are also used for testing effects. Most of the physical flashcards are two sided but three sided flash cards are also available.
- Chewy tubes – They are innovative oral motor devices designed with new jaw rehabilitation program. They also provide secure chewing and biting skills. In developing oral motor skills, stroke or rehabilitation of jaw after surgery. These tubes are very durable and secure for children who have special need of chewing. They are secure for sensory speakers and autism.
- Nuk massagers – It helps both kids and adults who are hypersensitive to certain types of food textures. It also helps those who have oral motor differences or oral defensives. Nuk massager soft brush tips massage and stimulates gums, cheeks, tongue and lips. They also help in developing tongue groove.
- Tongue depressors – Speech therapist use tongue depressors to push the tongue of the person into the correct position for “p”, “g”, “a “sounds. This is the first therapeutical tool used in speech disorder. Tongue depressors control the air inside the mouth which help kids in pronouncing words and punctuation in a correct way.
- Laryngeal Thermal tactile stimulation swallowing therapy mirror – when you are not feeding your child orally then this mirror is used for secretion management. They reduce micro aspirational risk and swallow deconditioning when oral feeding is found unsafe.
These tools are very effective in the treatment of speech and language disorder at home or with the speech therapist for different types of speech disorders.
