speech therapy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “speech therapy” mean?
The treatment of speech and language disorders.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The treatment of speech and language disorders.
A healthcare profession that assesses and treats communication disorders, including issues with articulation, fluency, voice, and language comprehension and expression.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'speech therapy' is the standard term; in American English, 'speech-language pathology' is often preferred in professional contexts, but 'speech therapy' is still widely understood and used.
Connotations
Both have similar connotations of treatment for communication issues.
Frequency
'Speech therapy' is more frequent in British English, while in American English, 'speech-language therapy' or 'speech-language pathology' might be more common in formal settings.
Grammar
How to Use “speech therapy” in a Sentence
to undergo speech therapy for [disorder]to provide speech therapy to [patient]speech therapy involves [activity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speech therapy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The child commenced speech therapy sessions.
American English
- The patient started speech therapy treatment.
adverb
British English
- She benefited greatly from speech therapy.
American English
- He improved significantly with speech therapy.
adjective
British English
- The speech therapy clinic was well-equipped.
American English
- The speech therapy center had modern facilities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; more relevant in healthcare or educational business contexts.
Academic
Common in medical, linguistic, and educational research papers.
Everyday
Used when discussing children's development or adults recovering from injuries.
Technical
Standard term in clinical settings for diagnosing and treating speech disorders.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speech therapy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speech therapy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speech therapy”
- Using 'speech therapy' as a verb, e.g., 'He speech therapied the child.' Correct: 'He provided speech therapy to the child.'
- Misspelling as 'speach therapy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Speech therapy involves exercises and techniques to improve speech, language, and communication skills.
People of all ages with speech or language disorders, such as stuttering, articulation problems, or aphasia.
The duration varies depending on the individual's needs and progress, often ranging from a few months to several years.
In many countries, speech therapy is covered by health insurance, especially when prescribed by a doctor, but coverage varies.
The treatment of speech and language disorders.
Speech therapy is usually technical/formal in register.
Speech therapy: in British English it is pronounced /spiːtʃ ˈθerəpi/, and in American English it is pronounced /spiːtʃ ˈθɛrəpi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'speech' as talking and 'therapy' as healing, so speech therapy is healing for talking problems.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEECH IS A MECHANISM THAT CAN BE REPAIRED
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of speech therapy?