Speech therapy: giving wings of communication to little angels with encephalitis

In the colorful world of childhood, every child is a unique little angel, who explores this wonderful world with their tender voices. However, when the uninvited guest of encephalitis quietly arrives, the language ability of some little angels may be seriously affected, and their world seems to become silent overnight. But don't worry, today we will talk about a magical treatment method - speech therapy, how it helps these little angels rebuild their language ability and regain the wings of communication.

1. The relationship between encephalitis and language ability

Encephalitis, a word that sounds scary, is actually a brain inflammation caused by infection with pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or parasites. It not only makes the child's head feel like it is wearing a tight ring, but it may also damage the brain area responsible for language function. Once the language area is damaged, the child may have difficulty speaking, reduced comprehension or even complete aphasia. This is undoubtedly a huge challenge for children who are in the golden period of language development.

2. Speech therapy: rebuilding the bridge of communication

Facing the language barriers caused by encephalitis, speech therapy is like a bridge, connecting the child's rich inner world with the understanding and care of the outside world. So, what is speech therapy? How does it work?

1. Definition of Speech Therapy

Speech therapy, in simple terms, is a set of techniques and methods designed to correct voice and articulation defects and to deal with speech disorders such as aphasia. It is not limited to oral speech training, but also includes training in written language, sign language, communication boards and other communication methods, aiming to help children restore or improve their language comprehension and expression skills, so that they can better integrate into society.

2. How speech therapy works

The working principle of speech therapy can be summarized as a cycle of "assessment-planning-implementation-assessment". First, a professional speech therapist will conduct a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the child's speech, language, communication and swallowing abilities through a series of standardized assessment tools. Based on the assessment results, the therapist will tailor a personalized training plan for the child. This plan may include various forms of training activities such as acoustic therapy, oral muscle training, and language games. During the implementation process, the therapist will pay close attention to the child's progress and adjust the training plan in a timely manner according to the actual situation. Finally, through regular re-evaluation, the therapist can intuitively see the child's progress and provide direction for the next step of treatment.

3. Specific methods of speech therapy

(1) Acoustic therapy : Using the principles of sound vibration and resonance, it helps children improve the quality and clarity of their pronunciation. Imagine that the therapist is like a tuner, using their professional knowledge and skills to adjust the most beautiful "sound melody" for the child.

(2) Oral muscle training : Through a series of interesting oral exercise games, such as blowing balloons and licking lollipops, children's oral muscle strength and flexibility can be enhanced. These seemingly simple games actually contain a lot of knowledge. They can help children better control the movement of their lips, tongue and mouth, laying a solid foundation for clear pronunciation.

(3) Language games : Use pictures, cards, toys and other props to design a series of language games that are both entertaining and educational. These games can not only stimulate children's interest, but also improve their language comprehension and expression skills invisibly. For example, in the "I say, you guess" game, the therapist will describe an object or scene and let the child exercise his or her language comprehension ability by guessing.

(4) Alternative communication methods : For children with severe aphasia, therapists will teach them to use alternative methods such as sign language, communication boards or electronic communication devices to express their needs and ideas. These alternative methods are like opening a new window of communication for children, allowing them to communicate effectively with the outside world even without language.

3. Warm moments in speech therapy

Although the speech therapy process is full of challenges, there are also many heartwarming and touching moments. Let’s take a look at some real stories!

Story 1: Xiao Ming’s “Sound Journey”

Xiao Ming is a lively and lovely boy, but unfortunately, he lost the ability to speak due to encephalitis. At first, he became taciturn and even refused to communicate with others. However, under the patient guidance of the speech therapist, Xiao Ming gradually opened his heart. Through repeated acoustic therapy and oral muscle exercises, he finally made a long-lost sound. At that moment, Xiao Ming and the therapist were so excited that they burst into tears. Now, Xiao Ming can express his thoughts and needs fluently, and his smile has become brighter.

Story 2: Xiaohua’s “New World of Communication”

Xiaohua had a serious language comprehension disorder due to encephalitis. With the help of a speech therapist, she began to try to use a communication board to express her needs. At first, Xiaohua felt unfamiliar and uncomfortable with this method. But as time went by, she gradually discovered the fun and practicality of the communication board. Now, Xiaohua can skillfully use the communication board to communicate with her family and friends. Her world has become broader and more colorful.

4. Family support: a strong backing in speech therapy

Family support is indispensable in speech therapy. Parents’ attitudes, words and deeds will directly affect the treatment effect and recovery process of their children. Therefore, we hope that every parent can become a strong supporter of their children in speech therapy.

1. Give your child enough patience and encouragement

Speech therapy is a long and arduous process, and children may feel frustrated and lose confidence because of slow progress. At this time, parents need to give their children enough patience and encouragement, and let them know that no matter how difficult the situation is, their family members are there to support them.

2. Actively participate in your child’s treatment process

Parents can actively participate in their children's speech therapy process and establish a good cooperative relationship with the therapist. For example, parents can continue the homework assigned by the therapist at home to help their children consolidate what they have learned; they can also create a home environment that is conducive to language development for their children under the advice of the therapist.

3. Pay attention to your child’s mental health

The language barrier caused by encephalitis not only affects the child's physiological functions, but may also have a negative impact on their mental health. Therefore, parents need to pay close attention to their children's emotional changes, communicate with them in a timely manner, and help them relieve anxiety and stress.

5. Conclusion: Let love become the strongest driving force of speech therapy

Speech therapy is like a journey of love, which requires us to accompany children through every difficult moment with patience, wisdom and love. In this process, we should not only pay attention to the recovery of children's physiological functions, but also pay attention to their mental health and the development of social skills. Let us work together to rebuild the language ability of children with encephalitis and give them the wings of communication, so that they can fly freely in the sunshine of love!

This project is funded by the Shanghai Rehabilitation Medicine Association Science and Technology Innovation Project (2024KJCX05).