Speech Therapy Tools To Support Your Practice

Does the child you’re treating have a speech disorder or are they simply hard of hearing? Without speech therapy tools, it’s impossible to tell.

Speech therapists rely on an array of tools and resources to diagnose communication disorders in children and adults. Below, learn about some of these tools and how to use them in your practice.

Understanding Speech Therapy Tools

Providers use special tools to diagnose and treat speech disorders during therapy sessions. Speech therapy tools can fall into one of three categories: assessment, intervention, and technology-based.

Categories of Speech Therapy Tools

Assessment Tools

Laryngeal videostroboscopy is a common assessment tool. During the procedure, a provider uses a fiberoptic tool to check whether the patient’s vocal folds are vibrating normally. To test vocal fold function, the provider asks the patient to make several different speech sounds.

Other speech therapy resources for assessments include:

• Language sampling
• Natural observation (for instance, observing a child’s language as they play games and communicate with peers or parents)
• Ethnographic interviewing

Intervention Tools

For effective treatment, intervention tools for kids must be easily accessible and, most of all, fun. They should also help the speech therapist monitor the progress of the child. Intervention tools for addressing speech delays include:

• Bite blocks
• Jaw exercisers
• Nose flutes
• Tongue depressors

Technology-Based Tools

Technology-based tools for speech and language offer cutting-edge benefits for patients and your practice. These tools may include:

• Fun electronic games that teach kids how to produce words and sounds
• Digital resources for education on specific speech disorders
• Virtual reality software and games

Top Speech Therapy Tools for Effective Communication

Good practices use a mix of traditional tools (flashcards, mirrors, etc.) and digital tools, such as apps. Both types have perks and drawbacks to consider.

Traditional vs. Digital Tools

• Traditional tools can be more effective for children, as they typically respond best to visual and tactile stimuli. For instance, asking a little one to tell a story about a toy might work better than having them play a computer game.
• Digital resources can be more expensive than traditional tools. You might have to purchase a monthly subscription, which could eat into your profits.
• Digital tools may have a built-in feature that allows you to track patients’ progress by date.

Speech Pathology Tools: Enhancing Diagnostic Accuracy

The field of speech therapy has advanced significantly over the past few decades. Today’s providers can take advantage of diagnostic tools like the following:

• Fluency assessment instruments
• Audio meters and hearing screening instruments
• Standardized assessment tests (Bayley-III, PLS-5, CELF-5, DAS-II)
• Voice analysis software
• Oral-motor assessment kits
• Dysphagia assessment tools
• Digital screening apps
• Speech sampling analysis tools
• Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment tools

Some of these tools are suitable for at-home use, too. For instance, a parent can use a smartphone screening app to determine whether their child needs to see a speech therapist.

SLP Tools: Resources for Therapy and Patient Engagement

Patients are more likely to comply with their therapy plan if you keep things engaging. To do that, try using games, apps, and interactive software. For instance, you can buy software that teaches patients how to move their lips and tongue when forming words.

Learn More About Weave for Speech-Language Pathologists

Choosing the right speech therapy tools is a must if you want your practice to thrive. Need a helping hand running things? Try Weave! Use it to schedule appointments, request payments, chat with your team, and remind patients of their upcoming appointments.

Get your free demo of Weave now to learn more about enhancing the patient experience.