Expert warns: Speech and language therapy problems on the rise

Baran Serkan Demir, an expert therapist in Şırnak, said: “Developing language supports the mental, sociocultural and academic development of the individual. Screen exposure, even if there is no direct effect, can cause language and speech disorders in individuals when accompanied by different disorders.”

Pointing out that speech disorders have a significant impact on children's lives during the growth phase, Demir underlined that solutions should be offered in accordance with the needs of each individual with a variety of therapy methods.

Stating that speech disorders do not occur due to a single cause, Demir said, “Speech and language therapists are health professionals who evaluate, identify and play a role in the treatment of communication, language, speech, voice and swallowing disorders of individuals. We also play a role in the development of communication, language and speech skills of individuals with stuttering, rapid disordered speech, autism and Down syndrome, as well as the development of language and speech skills of individuals with intellectual disabilities, voice, swallowing and chewing. Depending on the current situation, speech and language disorders can be defined in different ways. Today, individuals who are not exposed to enough stimuli may experience a decline in their speech and language skills. In this context, it may be wrong to evaluate only this. If you think that there is a deficiency in the individuals around you or in individuals you know, it is important to contact the nearest speech and language therapists.”

Emphasizing that early evaluation and identification play an important role for speech and language therapy, Demir said, “Developing language supports the mental, sociocultural and academic development of the individual. Screen exposure, even if there is no direct effect, can cause speech and language disorders in individuals when accompanied by different disorders. Excessive screen exposure causes the individual to continue his/her life independent and disconnected from the outside world. We learn language and speech after interacting with those around us. In this context, our mind creates a schema. As a result of visual and auditory references, we usually learn language. Therefore, a decrease in an individual's social interaction can lead to speech and language disorders. In speech and language disorders, we first take a case measurement. In this measure, we collect information before, during and after birth. In addition, we assess whether there is a different comorbid disorder. We also ask whether family members have the same disorders or different individuals. It is important to emphasize once again that early assessment and identification play an important role in speech and language therapy.”