Speech therapy is a very broad therapeutic area that helps children improve their communication.  Therapy can encompass a wide array of areas.  To start. there's articulation, improving the quality of sound production in spoken language.  Then there's fluency, producing non-stuttered speech.  Also, there's voice therapy, where the sound of someone's voice can be improved if it's too harsh or breathy.  But what about a child's language?  Speech therapy can address that, too!  Language therapy focuses on receptive and expressive language skills.  Language skills involve learning to interpret and make a meaning of what is heard or read, then applying that knowledge in spoken or written form.  When all of these areas are lumped together, you have COMMUNICATION.  These areas are essential to functional, effective communication.  Think about all the ways in which you communicate in daily life!  It's essential to almost everything you do!  Now imagine taking away just one of the skills mentioned earlier.  That's what it is like for many of your children.  Many children don't develop the skills needed for successful communication at a rate typical of their peers.  A speech therapist can help!  You can contact me with questions via information@medfordsparc.org.