It is true that speech therapists deal with a range of disorders, and communication rehabilitation after a stroke or brain injury. But they also specialise in a range of other things, such as improving your accent and helping you with public speaking. This article highlights 5 things that you never knew a speech therapist could do.

1. Voice Projection

Many of us often speak to ourselves when we talk to others. We do not project our voice and let ourselves be heard. At adult speech therapy sessions, you can learn how to project your voice and get your point across with conviction. This skill comes in handy when you are in meetings or when you have to argue your point in a debate.

2. Improving Small Talk

Many of us struggle with small talk and we find it difficult to talk to people we do not know even for a short period. A good therapist can help you get better at small talk by using strategies and techniques that improve your speech. They work on your language and non-verbal communication skills.

3. Mumbling

Have you ever noticed a lot of your family or friends looking at you in bemusement at what you just said? They literally did not understand a word that came out of your mouth, yet you both speak the same language. Mumbling comes from a reduced effort in speech, the speaker does not focus on their volume and air pressure with results in unclear speech patterns.

4. Interviewing Techniques

Another good reason to visit a speech therapist is to improve your interviewing techniques. Many of us struggle in interviews and end up being looked over for a job we were well capable of doing. We fail to make an impression at the interview because of our communication skills.

5. Accent

A speech therapist can change the way you pronounce words. They can make your accent clearer and easier to understand. When you learn a second language, it is important to copy the way native speakers pronounce certain words and sounds. If you use a strong accent when speaking a second language others will struggle to understand you.

There you have it, 5 things that you never knew a speech therapist could help you with. When people think of speech therapy, they think of people with a variety of developmental disorders, but speech therapists can help with a whole lot more. They are trained to understand all components of speech.