Speech Therapy

  
 

Speech Therapy services is provided for the students in Bethany Home as well as for the outpatients referred by the doctors in Teluk Intan General Hospital. Infants and toddlers may receive speech therapy if they need assistance developing verbal communication.
Pre-school children may require some extra help to learn basic skills such as communicating their needs and wants. Most school-aged children need speech therapy to overcome articulation errors and improve language skills. Some teenagers may need to overcome their stuttering problems. Adult students or outpatients may need speech therapy services if they have a voice problem.

  

The speech therapist will often assist with:

  • Speech and language skills
  • Listening and understanding
  • Augmentative and alternative communication such as sign language or using picture cards
  • Cognitive skills including organization, memory and word retrieval
In Bethany Home, the speech therapist will observe and evaluate the child as well as interview the parents. An assessment and recommendations are made to meet the child’s individual needs. As children learn primarily through play, the speech therapist incorporates fun playful activities to keep the child interested and involved. Sessions are usually 30 – 60 minutes in length and are scheduled twice or three times a week. The speech therapist will re-assess the child regularly to monitor and demonstrate progress, and to continue to meet the changing needs of the child.
Photo of one of the workshops organized by Ruth for the teachers.

 

The speech therapist also organizes workshops for the teachers during school holidays and provides information to parents who attend the Early Intervention Program and through special appointment. Sign language is also taught to staff and teachers as they need to learn how to communicate with students with hearing impairment through signing.