Speech TherapyCourse

The Speech Therapy Course introduces the fundamentals of speech and language support. It begins by offering an overview of common speech disorders and the techniques often used to assist those experiencing communication difficulties. You'll explore the role of a speech and language practitioner, the types of conditions they support, and gain an understanding of key terminology used in the field.

To understand how speech develops and functions, you’ll be guided through the anatomical structures and physiological systems involved in speech production—such as the respiratory, laryngeal, and articulatory systems. You’ll also be introduced to the auditory system and the principles of audiology, including hearing structures, the physiology of hearing, and indicators of hearing loss that may require referral for further assessment.

The course explores speech and language development, including the stages of linguistic advancement in both monolingual and bilingual children. You’ll also examine phonetics, broken down into its three core branches:

• Articulatory Phonetics – how speech sounds are produced

• Acoustic Phonetics – the physical properties of speech sounds

• Auditory Phonetics – how speech sounds are heard and interpreted

You'll also delve into speech perception, which refers to how individuals understand spoken language.

The structure of language—covering morphology, syntax, and semantics—is explained in detail, alongside how children learn and apply language rules. Common developmental patterns and errors are discussed, including those that may indicate speech and communication challenges.

This course provides insight into conditions that can influence speech and language development, such as neurological disorders, brain injury, autism, apraxia, intellectual disability, vocal strain, and physical impairments. It also covers tools such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) used to support communication development, particularly in autistic children.

In addition, you’ll explore a range of environments where speech and language support may be offered—such as schools, healthcare, and community settings—and consider the variety of roles and responsibilities associated with this work.