Speech Therapy Cape TownSpeech Therapy Cape Town

Speech Therapy Cape Town

Neurons that FIRE together, WIRE together.

T (021) 903 1659
Email: gillian@gillianadonis.com

Gillian Adonis Speech Therapy
Suite 201, The Link, Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, 8000

Open in Google Maps
QUESTIONS? CALL: +27 63 068 1814
  • BLOG
  • F.A.Q.
  • Speech and Language Milestones
  • Popia
  • REGISTER
  • LOGIN
  • LOGOUT
  • No products in cart.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Services
    • Aphasia
    • Apraxia
    • Articulation and Phonological Disorder
    • Autism
    • Dysarthria
    • Language Disorders
    • Online Speech Therapy
    • Stuttering
    • Swallowing / Feeding Disorder
    • The Role of Speech Therapy in Recruitment
    • Voice
  • Contracts
    • Minor Contract
    • Adult Contract
  • Shop
  • Contact Us
Book an Appointment Now
  • Home
  • 2014
  • Sep
Feb 9, 2023

Month: Sep 2014

A Parent’s Guide to Stuttering

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 by admin
[spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

What is stuttering?

Stuttering is a motor speech problem that is not a normal part of a child’s development. This means that stuttering is NOT caused by:

  • bad parenting
  • anxiety
  • low intelligence or IQ

The exact cause of stuttering is unknown. There is a genetic link in some cases. The ratio of boys to girls is 3:1 and this disproportion increases with age. Most school aged children (up to 82%) are teased about their stuttering.

Stuttering behaviours include:

  • Repetition – of sounds (c-c-c-cat), syllables (ca-ca-ca-cat), words (cat-cat- cat-cat) or phrases (the cat, the cat, the cat jumped).
  • Prolongation – of sounds (e.g. m➙y).
  • Inappropriate pauses – between sounds or words.
  • Blocking – getting stuck on sounds and nothing comes out.

Body and facial movements may accompany these stuttering behaviours such as eye blinking, facial twitches, and body tension.

How can parents help?

  • Most importantly, contact a Speech Pathologist.
  • Acknowledge that your child is stuttering and reassure your child that he or she is doing nothing wrong.
  • Listen to what your child is saying rather than how it is said. This shows your child that you enjoy talking to them and are interested in what they are saying.
  • Be consistent when using speaking rules, e.g. everyone in the family is to try not to interrupt when someone is talking.
  • Reduce the pressure on your child when he or she is speaking – don’t put them on the spot.

Early intervention has the best evidence for treatment outcomes for children who stutter, with the best age for treatment being 4-5 years of age. Stuttering can be treated at other stages of the life-span but often with longer treatment times and more complex treatments than for preschool children. See a Speech Pathologist for information and advice.

[/spb_text_block] [spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

samantha-de-freitas-thumb

Samantha de Freitas

Speech and Language Therapist

Samantha de Freitas is a Speech and Language Therapist qualified at UCT in 2012. Currently she specialises in AAC

[/spb_text_block]
Read more
  • Published in Articles, Voice Disorders
No Comments

Taking Care of Your Voice

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 by admin
Care of your voice

Voice is the sound that is created by people by using their lungs and vocal folds in the voice box, but how does it work? The vocal folds are two bands of smooth muscle tissue that lie opposite each other in the larynx or voice box. The larynx is positioned at the passageway to the lungs. When at rest, the vocal folds are open to allow an individual to breathe. Once the folds are closed, air from the lungs passes through them, causing vibration and therefore produces sound. The sound from this vibration then travels through the throat, nose, and mouth creating voice.

It is important to take care of our voices, as we use it every day to communicate with others at home, work and at social gatherings. There are many things that we do that can place ourselves at risk for developing a voice problem such as:

  • Using your voice too much such as shouting for long periods or talking for a long period without taking a break
  • Excessive stress
  • Excessive coughing and throat clearing
  • Speaking on an already sore throat
  • Smoking
  • Unhealthy eating that could cause reflux otherwise known as ‘heartburn’
  • Not drinking enough water
  • Chronic asthma or allergies
  • Irritants e.g. dryness of the air

What can you do to take care of your voice?

  • HYDRATION: drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day
  • DIETARY: reducing the intake of caffeine; chocolate; citrus; alcohol; cooldrinks; acidic, spicy and fatty foods
  • IRRITANTS: reduce or stop smoking; limit dust and chemical exposure
  • VOCAL MISUSE AND ABUSE: do not shout or strain your voice; rest your voice

Contact your health care provider if you have any concerns about heart burn; hoarseness; shortness of breath; voice fatigue; pain, discomfort or dryness of the throat, which are often symptoms of a voice disorder.

Please contact us for more information on voice, voice disorders and vocal hygiene.

Read more
  • Published in Articles, Voice Disorders
No Comments

Recent Posts

  • My child has a language disorder – What now?

    The period after your child’s language delay di...
  • 8 Vital Steps for Stroke Recovery

    Stroke affects everybody differently. Why? Beca...
  • Concessions – What you should know

    If you have a child in grade 4 to 12, then you ...
  • How a Speech Therapist can help with Autism

    The ultimate goal of speech therapy is to help ...
  • Reaching Milestones

    Skills such as understanding simple instruction...

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • Aug 2019
    • Jul 2019
    • May 2019
    • Apr 2019
    • Nov 2018
    • Mar 2018
    • Feb 2018
    • Oct 2017
    • Jun 2017
    • May 2017
    • Mar 2017
    • Feb 2017
    • Dec 2016
    • Oct 2016
    • Sep 2016
    • Aug 2016
    • Jun 2016
    • May 2016
    • Apr 2016
    • Feb 2016
    • Nov 2015
    • Oct 2015
    • Sep 2015
    • Jul 2015
    • Jun 2015
    • Apr 2015
    • Mar 2015
    • Feb 2015
    • Nov 2014
    • Sep 2014
    • Aug 2014
    • Jul 2014
    • Jun 2014
    • Apr 2014
    • Nov 2013
    • Sep 2013
    • Apr 2012

    Categories

    • Articles
    • Autism
    • Development
    • Feature
    • Speech Therapy News
    • Uncategorized
    • Voice Disorders

    Featured Posts

    • My child has a language disorder – What now?

      0 comments
    • 8 Vital Steps for Stroke Recovery

      0 comments
    • Concessions – What you should know

      0 comments
    • How a Speech Therapist can help with Autism

      0 comments
    • Reaching Milestones

      0 comments

    GET A FREE QUOTE

    Please fill this for and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

    KUILSRIVER OFFICE

    Residential Area
    51 Sonnendal Way,
    Kuils River, Cape Town,
    7580

    Tel: 021 903 1659

    Open in Google Maps

    MITCHELLS PLAIN

    2nd Floor
    Room 203,
    New Annexed Building,
    Melomed Mitchells Plain

    Tel: 063 068 1814

    Open in Google Maps

    GOODWOOD

    G8 Ground Floor,
    Medical Chambers, N1 City,
    Goodwood,
    Cape Town

    Tel: 021 590 4072

    Open in Google Maps

    Christiaan Barnard

    Suite 201,
    The Link,
    Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital,
    8000

    Tel: 021 0545799

    Open in Google Maps

    social sharing
    • GET SOCIAL
    Speech Therapy Cape Town

    © 2021 Gillian Adonis Speech Therapy. All Rights Reserved. POPIA

    TOP

    Chat with us on WhatsApp