Curious What’s Speech Therapy? Meet Manasa, an Expert Answering All Your Queries!

By Ruchi Sharma

If one is not able to express themselves freely, it can have a hampering effect on one’s self confidence. It can be due to something as simple as a language barrier or something more complicated like a medical condition. While language barriers can definitely be worked upon, medical conditions can be improved too with proper guidance from an expert. Stammering, lisping or not being able to formulate words can have a serious impact on one’s self confidence. It can make one feel self conscious while expressing their thoughts and that can further lead to them not expressing their thoughts freely due to the fear of being judged. Speech Therapy can definitely help a person. Whether  it’s a child or an adult, speech-language therapists are daily working towards helping everyone facing any issues with their speech. We are having with us an expert Speech Therapist on board today, Manasa from @happycrisps, who will be answering all your queries.

Manasa is not only a speech-language therapist, but also an audiologist. Apart from helping adults, she has been helping children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, developmental delays too.

Let’s not wait any longer, here’s the detailed conversation we had with Manasa where she explained everything right from what a Speech Therapist does to who all they can help. Scroll down to read the new edition of SpeSHEalist Talks.

Mansa with her Gold Medal in Masters in Speech Pathology

1. Hey Manasa! Welcome to Girls Buzz! We would love to know more about you.

Hello, lovely people! I’m glad to be here! I'm Manasa RB, and I’m a speech-language therapist and an audiologist. I’m also an illustrator trying to spread awareness about disabilities through art. 

2. Here comes the most obvious question we have, who exactly is a speech therapist and what do they do?

A speech therapist is a professional who helps anyone who has difficulties with communication and feeding! We help people of all ages, infants through adults with their speech, language and feeding issues.

3. Simple issues like stammering can have a big impact on someone’s confidence, though they are definitely no way lesser than anyone and shouldn’t be hesitant on anything. Can speech therapy help them too?

YES! We help people who stammer by helping them learn about their stammer, learn ways to accept and overcome it and also help them improve their confidence and self-esteem.

4. Apart from stammering, what other communication challenges can an adult face?

Adults could have lisps or any speech clarity issues. They could have difficulties with their voice; such as low volume, unclear voice, or have some difficulty with their pitch. They could also have any speech or language issue after an accident or stroke, such as poor clarity, forgetting names of objects, not following longer sentences, difficulty with higher language functions or inferences and more, which we, speech therapists, can help them with.

5. It might take up a lot of patience and time to get fruitful results, though it might vary case to case, but how does a speech therapist set realistic goals? 

Patience is key! And so is understanding that each individual is unique and setting goals is very individualistic. We usually assess the patient and discuss with them about their aim and what their expectations are with speech therapy and then set goals; after all, it is for the patient and if we don’t involve them while setting goals, it isn't right. Setting short and long-term goals are another way of being realistic and mindful.

6. Can you tell us about some of the most common therapies that people might not be aware about but can help them?

Speech therapy is one thing which most people are unaware of! Most of my friends hadn't heard of it until I became one!

Another unsung hero is “Occupational therapy” where the therapists help with motor and sensory difficulties faced by people of all ages.

7. Nowadays many children face lack of clarity in speech at a young age. For a parent who has a child with any speech related issues, how can they help them at home?

It really depends on each child but my first advice is to consult a speech therapist!! Don’t hesitate and do it so you know what is the root of the speech clarity issue. There is no minimum age for consulting a speech therapist and an assessment will help clear all your doubts. Other tips which parents can follow are giving ample time for your child to answer the questions you ask and reducing the burden on kids by NOT bombarding them with many questions and instead, talk to them with statements which have high energy and intonation. For example, do not keep asking them “What is this? Say it! You know it, right? What is the name? What is it called?”, instead just name the thing and talk about it in simple words.

8. It must be in everyone’s mind right now! When can one know that visiting a speech therapist can help them?

Any time you feel that you or someone you know is not speaking/ understanding like others then it is time! Time to visit a speech therapist and learn ways to manage and improve communication. Visiting a speech therapist can help in many ways, especially when you have accepted that help is needed and you can take necessary steps to improve your speech.

9. How can one improvise and work on their own speech related issues right at the comfort of their home? Can you help with some tips?

Practice! Practice what your speech therapist has told you to, atleast 2-3 times a day and do it in front of a mirror or practice it with a recorder so you get the feedback for what you did!

Most of the other tips are individualistic and differ but one thing which everyone must follow is “Don’t lose hope!”change takes time and patience so wait and practice. 

10. Does motivation and patience by family members help in speeding up the recovery too?

Absolutely! I would say that it definitely accounts for more than 50% of the recovery process. A dedicated and motivated family means a dedicated and motivated patient.

11. Can a speech therapist help kids with special needs too?

Yes! That is what 50% of my caseload is right now. Children with autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, developmental delays etc, have a significant communication delay and a speech therapist can help them communicate their needs, feelings and anything else on their mind to reduce frustration and help their development. Children with special needs often need a team approach with other professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and special educators too.

12. Your profession sounds the complete package of ensuring inclusivity and love for all, be it kids diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy etc. or anyone with speech issues! Can you think of any of your cases which are the closest to your heart?

I am super attached to the kids who come to speech therapy; they're so innocent and they see the world in a different way and I love them for that! They teach me a lot about how to live life and I absolutely forget myself during those sessions.

13. On that note, would you like to share any case you felt was very challenging for you?

Sessions with adults (probably after a stroke/ accident) who are having a hard time to accept that they need help with their speech and that they aren't as independent as they thought they could be. Such cases are challenging because it takes time to accept that they have a difficulty for themselves and for their family and counselling and active listening plays an important role here. 

14. Any word for people reading this, on what they can do to ensure anyone with speech issues never feels left out? How can people do their bit in ensuring that anyone with special needs feels completely comfortable in conversations?

Inclusion starts with all of us! Start actively listening to others and actually be there for anyone with different needs. A disability could affect anyone at any point in your life, so be kind, be respectful and treat them like a human.

Always address the person when talking to them and not their caregiver, ask them their preferred term and only use that and remember, they're just like you, with a tiny difference so treat them just like you would anybody else. 

That was definitely some amazing knowledge we gained from Manasa. Thank you so much Manasa for sharing your expertise with us!