Speech therapy diagnosis and therapy of a prematurely born child (from the neonatal period to adolescence)

Abstract

Children born prematurely are in the risk group of children who may experience factors negatively affecting their psychomotor, emotional, social development. In the case of more severe complications, caused by CNS damage, there are serious pathologies observed already in the first months of a child’s life. However, often the consequences of prematurity are felt only in later years - at the stage of preschool or school development. That’s why it’s so important that babies born prematurely are cared for by neurologists already in the neonatal ward, and later have the opportunity to attend speech therapy clinics.
The article points out when it is appropriate to seek the help of a speech therapist. It was explained whether the visits should be consultative or continuous, in the form of regular therapy. The heterogeneous group of children and adolescents who participated in speech therapy classes is also shown, the methods (including supportive ones) used during therapy are indicated, and selected speech therapist activities in the area of primal (food intake) and secundal (speaking) functions are briefly characterized.