What is the Difference Between Speech and Language Therapy?

At an IEP meeting, a dad asked me why I was talking about how his son answered questions. He said,

 I thought you were the speech therapist.

During my school SLP career, many teachers were unaware of the distinction between speech and language therapy. They have said,

                                    She sounds fine, I don’t know why she is in speech.

Speech and Language therapy are different.

NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SPEECH THERAPY AND LANGUAGE THERAPY. PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS ONLY WORK ON ARTICULATION, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. ARTICULATION (SPEECH) THERAPY ADDRESSES SOUND PRODUCTION SUCH AS A LISP AND A DISTORTED /R/. LANGUAGE THERAPY REMEDIATES THE UNDERSTANDING AND EXPRESSION OF LANGUAGE. IT CAN BE IN THE FORM OF LISTENING AND SPEAKING OR READING AND WRITING. LANGUAGE ALSO INCLUDES SOCIAL SKILLS. SOME STUDENTS NEED SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY AND OTHERS JUST NEED HELP IN ONE OF THE AREAS.

Language Therapy

Targets:

• Receptive language: Understanding spoken or written language (e.g., following directions, understanding questions).

• Expressive language: Using words, grammar, and sentence structure to communicate ideas.

• Pragmatics (social language): Using language appropriately in social contexts (e.g., turn-taking, topic maintenance, interpreting nonliteral language).

• Narrative skills: Telling or retelling stories in a logical sequence.

• Vocabulary development: Learning and using Tier 1, 2, and 3 vocabularies.

Articulation Therapy

Targets:

• Articulation: Producing sounds correctly (e.g., /r/, /s/, /th/)

• Phonological processes: Sound pattern errors (e.g., fronting, stopping)

• Fluency: Smoothness of speech (e.g., stuttering)

• Voice: Vocal quality, pitch, volume (e.g., hoarseness, vocal nodules)

• Motor planning: Speech movement coordination (e.g., apraxia of speech)

  

  
  

Speech and language skills are important for school and social success.

• Speech affects intelligibility (how well others understand your child)

• Language affects learning, reading, writing, and social interaction.

How can difficulties with speech/ language affect my child’s learning?

1. Language is the foundation of literacy skills.

• Students with poor language skills may:

  • Struggle to understand phonics and decode words

  • Have difficulty understanding what they read (reading comprehension)

  • Use incorrect grammar, spelling, or sentence structure in writing.

2. Difficulty Following Directions

• Weak receptive language (understanding) makes it hard to:

  • Follow multi-step directions

  • Understand classroom instructions or test questions

  • Complete assignments correctly

3. Trouble Expressing Ideas

• Students may know the answer but struggle to:

  • Find the right words (word retrieval)

  • Organize their thoughts clearly

  • Speak in complete or grammatically correct sentences.

    This affects class participation, oral presentations, and written work.

4. Poor Social Skills and Peer Relationships

• Pragmatic (social) language deficits can cause:

  • Difficulty joining conversations or staying on topic

  • Problems interpreting tone, sarcasm, or body language

  • Challenges with conflict resolution or making friends

  This can lead to social isolation or behavior issues.

5. Reduced Confidence and Participation

• Children who struggle with speech (e.g., articulation, stuttering) may:

  • Avoid speaking in class

  • Become anxious about reading aloud or giving answers

  • Be teased or misunderstood by peers

6. Impact on Academic Subjects

• Language is used in all subjects, not just English:

  • Math: understanding word problems

  • Science: explaining observations and using technical vocabulary

  • Social Studies: understanding timelines, events, and making inferences

   Is this an example of a speech or language concern ?

Eric can’t make the /s/.

(articulation)

When I asked my son what he did at school, he said, ”school”.

(language)

Alice can’t point to named pictures in a book.

(language)

Gregory’s /r/sounds like a /w/.

(articulation)

My son does not play with other children.

(language-social)

My daughter gets stuck on words when she talks.

 (articulation-fluency)

Kennedy cannot follow directions.

(language)

Yes, you can!

How will I know if my child needs help?

You would contact a Speech-Language Pathologist and share your concerns.  

  Email questions related to this topic at  BSPEECHIETHERAPY@GMAIL.COM.

 

I'd like to help you help your child.