What’s the Typical Duration of Speech Therapy for Adults?

How long should speech therapy take? This is a question that speech therapists hear every day, which is understandable, as individuals working to overcome a speech disorder or difference simply want to know when they can expect to reach their goals. The answer to this question, however, is not straightforward, as the duration of speech therapy can vary widely and depends on many factors. 

The age of the individual when they begin speech therapy, the type and severity of the speech disorder, and the presence of other conditions or underlying factors are some of the most significant factors that impact how long speech therapy is needed. Some individuals will see major improvements within a month of starting speech therapy, whereas others may work with a speech therapist for years in order to reach their communication goals. 

When it comes to speech therapy for adults, working with a speech and language pathologist can provide techniques and approaches that are proven to be effective at improving overall speech production, clarity and fluency, articulation and phonology, expressive and receptive language skills, and enhancing social and pragmatic communication abilities. 

Speech therapy can be helpful for adults who are looking to improve their communication and increase their success in personal, social, and professional environments. If you would like to learn more about whether speech therapy is right for you, connect with us by scheduling your free introductory call today!  

When To Go to Speech Therapy for an Adult?

Some of the most common reasons adults go to speech therapy include: 

Accent Modification: While everyone speaks with their unique accent, some individuals wish to reduce the appearance of their accent. In some cases, an accent can make it difficult to be understood by others and can cause barriers to effective communication. Accent modification speech therapy for adults can help to improve speech clarity, decrease frustrations, create speech patterns that more closely reflect those of native English speakers, and increase confidence. 

Articulation Disorders: An articulation disorder causes an individual to struggle with the coordination of the movements required for speech production. Some of the most commonly seen articulation disorders in adults include lisping when producing an “s” sound and difficulty producing a “th”, “r” or “l” sound. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that is usually identified during childhood. However, children with ASD grow into adults with the disorder, and many different communication skills can be affected. Speech therapy for adults with ASD will often focus on pragmatic language (the ability to use appropriate communication to fit a specific situation), sentence structure, interpreting and answering questions, literacy, and reading comprehension, and non-verbal communication skills. 

Stuttering: Stuttering is a fluency disorder that causes uncontrollable repetitions or prolongations of sounds, syllables, and/or words during speech. Individuals who stutter may also frequently pause or interrupt their own speech, known as blocks. Stuttering can cause major challenges with effective communication and make it difficult to form meaningful relationships, succeed professionally, and communicate with confidence.

Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease affects the central nervous system, which affects movement and motor skills. Adults with this condition often require speech therapy to strengthen the muscles needed for speech, improve their vocal quality, and target articulation. 

Voice Disorders: A voice disorder can cause vocal hoarseness, fatigue, loss of vocal function, or a raspy or breathy-sounding voice. Voice disorders can also affect an individual’s ability to control the volume or pitch of their voice. This type of disorder is quite common, especially among adults who use their voice for their profession, such as teachers, performers, and coaches. 

If you are struggling to communicate due to any of the conditions listed above, or simply want to strengthen your existing communication skills, speech therapy could be right for you. Learn more by scheduling your free introductory call today! 

What Determines the Duration of Speech Therapy?

How long speech therapy takes is different for everyone, and the duration of speech therapy is influenced by the following factors: 

Type & Severity of the Speech Disorder: Each speech therapy journey is unique, and each individual experiences speech disorders differently. How long speech therapy for adults takes depends on the type of disorder being treated, and how severely communication is impacted. 

Age of Individual When They Began Speech Therapy: Early intervention offers the best outcome for individuals with speech disorders, meaning the earlier speech therapy begins, the better. An individual who started working with a speech therapist as a child will likely reach their goals sooner than someone who began speech therapy as an adult. 

Co-Occurring Conditions: Individuals who live with multiple disorders or conditions affecting communication may need speech therapy for a longer period of time. Conditions such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder can make the path to improved communication more challenging. Depending on the individual’s specific goals, certain conditions require more targeted and intensive speech therapy interventions and need modified and tailored approaches. 

The Importance of Frequent and Consistent Speech Therapy Appointments

Consistency and dedication are essential to the success of speech therapy for adults. When an adult attends frequent and regular speech therapy appointments combined with daily practice, the success of speech therapy is enhanced. 

Most speech therapists will recommend one or two sessions per week, depending on the degree of intervention required. Routinely scheduled sessions provide ongoing support and customized treatment, ensuring progress is made during each appointment. The frequency and duration of these appointments may be adjusted as speech therapy progresses, depending on the effectiveness of certain approaches as well as the needs and goals of each individual. 

The universal goal of speech therapy is to achieve constant progress in communication skills and a gradual increase in confidence and self-esteem. 

Daily practice at home is also essential for the achievement of steady progress toward speech therapy goals. Most speech therapists will provide specific exercises and techniques to practice at home to enhance the learning that occurs during speech therapy, continue to improve in certain areas, and solidify newly developed skills. 

Effective communication skills are an essential part of daily life and the human experience. We use speech and language to learn, connect with others, express ourselves, and create meaning in the world around us. Speech therapy for adults provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to improve their communication abilities and thrive in all aspects of their daily lives. If you are ready to get started on the path to greater success and higher confidence, schedule your free introductory call today!