John R. Callen is the CEO / Managing Partner of MedRehab Alliance, LLC and CEO / Managing Partner of Joint & Neuro Rehab Associates, LLC. In the following article, John R. Callen discusses how speech therapy treats communication disorders and enhances verbal skills.

Communication builds the foundation of human life. From forming relationships to establishing independence to expressing desires, without communication, people risk losing the life they’ve created. And if barriers to communication remain unattended from birth, individuals may never fulfill their personal or professional dreams.

John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance says that this is where speech therapy comes in to improve communication skills over time, provide unparalleled confidence boosts, and unlock quality of life. The treatment is used to handle many speech and language disorders, such as apraxia of speech, voice disorders, stuttering, and other concerns, playing a vital role in many people’s lives.

Whether dealing with speech and language complications from birth or a newly manifested problem related to age or accident, speech therapy performed by experienced, up-to-date practitioners provides a new lease of life for patients both young and old.

MedRehab Alliance Explains Direct Therapy for Individuals and Training for Their Families

While the most obvious role of a speech and language therapist is to offer direct therapy to the individual experiencing the complication or condition, such professionals also educate and train those around the patient, including parents, children, cousins, siblings, grandparents, friends, carers, employers, teachers, and more.

John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance says that therapy focuses on enabling the patient to process and access information as their needs dictate in a similar fashion to making resources available in large print for those with visual impairments.

Ultimately, the goal is to define the level of information the individual can or can’t understand, and how they can be helped. Since everybody is different, however, it’s well-documented that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, therapists must conduct detailed assessments of their patients before starting therapy to understand the best course of action.

Experts State the Vital, Unignorable Benefits of Speech Therapy

John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance explains that the true impact of speech and language therapists may be well-documented in the professional arena. But beyond that, they are the unsung heroes of many people’s lives, deserving more direct appreciation than they receive.

The benefits of their work are plentiful, but experts say the following are perhaps the most impactful.

Ensuring Wants and Needs Can Be Communicated Effectively

Those who don’t struggle with speech and language often take their ability to communicate for granted. And it’s understandable; to many the ability is considered a human right — and professionals would agree, which is why speech therapy holds an intrinsic place in society. It provides everybody with the ability to communicate their needs and wants.

John R. Callen explains that this expression brings essential things with it, like independence and reduced social isolation. Through speech therapy, individuals have been able to connect with people more easily, decreasing feelings of loneliness and improving all-around well-being.

Enhancing Academic Performance

Children and young adults in the school system rely solely on communication for much of their day. Thus, speech therapy helps those with speech and language difficulties navigate these often-complex social structures, while aiding curriculum understanding for improved grades.

Providing Much-Needed Confidence Boosts

John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance reports that confidence seems to be the cornerstone of everything in life. From playing tag on the school playground to crushing it in board meetings at work to successfully meeting client briefs to establishing healthy relationships to making phone calls to utility companies, confidence underpins everything people do.

But confidence is not something that comes naturally to everybody. And it’s even more difficult to build in those with speech and language struggles that are left unattended. Speech therapy, therefore, helps people feel more confident in their communication capabilities.

Accessing Speech Therapy for Overall Life Improvement

John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance says that contrary to widespread belief, individuals with speech and language conditions do not need to wait for a referral before they can start receiving this life-changing treatment. Instead, they can find one themselves or a close relative/friend can find one for them.

John R. Callen of MedRehab Alliance says that these professionals are certified, licensed, experienced, and well-respected, giving patients confidence in their ability to help them overcome their communication barriers for an enhanced quality of life.