About Avivit Ben-Aharon
Founder & Clinical Director at Great Speech Inc. | Providing Innovative Alternatives to Speech Pathology Services
Entries by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Dysarthria (Slurred Speech): Symptoms, Causes, & Treatment
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that occurs when muscles used for speech are weak. Motor speech disorders are characterized by difficulty moving the muscles that are needed for speech production. Individuals with dysarthria know what they want to say; they just have a hard time saying it due to muscle weakness. This typically causes [...]
What Causes Hypernasal Speech (Hypernasality)?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Hypernasal Speech, also called hypernasality, is a speech resonance condition that occurs when sound escapes through the nose during speech production. This results in the voice sounding nasally, affecting speech clarity. What causes hypernasality in speech? Hypernasality in speech can be caused by a physical difference as well as learned misarticulation. It is usually due [...]
Does Speech Therapy Help Children with Asperger's Syndrome
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Asperger's Syndrome? Asperger’s Syndrome is a developmental disorder that is classified as a form of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Individuals with this diagnosis tend to have average or above-average intelligence but often struggle with social interactions. People with Asperger’s Syndrome may have difficulties understanding the emotions and body language [...]
What is Spasmodic Dysphonia (also known as laryngeal dystonia) - A Rare Condition That Affects RFK Jr.’s Voice
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Spasmodic Dysphonia Spasmodic dysphonia (SD), also known as laryngeal dystonia, is a rare neurological disorder that affects the muscles controlling the vocal cords. This condition results in involuntary muscle spasms in the larynx (voice box) that cause the voice to sound shaky, strained, or even strangled. Spasmodic dysphonia can have an impact on [...]
Recognizing Speech Delays in 2-Year-Olds
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech development is a key part of a child’s early years, as it plays a significant role in their ability to communicate, form connections, and learn. By the age of 2, most toddlers begin to form basic sentences; however, some may experience delays with this development. This can be incredibly concerning for parents. Child [...]
Palilalia Causes, Symptoms, and How It Differs from Echolalia
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Involuntary repetition of words, sounds, phrases, or parts of phrases is a defining feature of palilalia, a rare speech condition. This kind of speech dysfluency, which frequently manifests quickly and obsessively, interferes with communication's natural flow. Palilalia is often linked to specific mental and neurological disorders. What Causes Palilalia? Palilalia is typically associated [...]
Why Am I Suddenly Mixing Up Words?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Have you ever been mid-conversation and had the right word in mind but had the wrong word slip out? You may be asking yourself, “Why do I keep messing up my words all of a sudden?” While this can feel incredibly frustrating and concerning, it doesn’t necessarily mean that something is terribly wrong. There [...]
18 Month Old Speech Milestones
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Watching your child grow and learn new things is such a rewarding experience. While it brings many feelings of happiness and joy, some parents may find themselves wondering and even worrying about whether or not their child is hitting the many milestones for their age. The various categories of important milestones, according to the CDC [...]
Language Recovery After Stroke
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a group of conditions that affect the blood vessels in the brain and lead to problems with blood flow. The most common and severe form of cerebrovascular disease is a stroke, which occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted. Without proper blood flow, brain cells can become damaged [...]
Early Interventions for Lisp Speech Disorders in Children
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
A lisp is a speech disorder where certain sounds, particularly the “s” and “z” sounds, are mispronounced. This often results in it sounding like the “th” sound, for example saying “thoo” instead of “zoo” or “thun” instead of “sun”. A lisp affects speech clarity and can result in communication challenges. These challenges may lead to [...]
Voice Therapy for Teachers: Protecting Your Voice in the Classroom
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
The voice is an essential tool for teachers in the classroom. A healthy voice is important for leading instruction, managing the classroom, and communicating with students. Not properly caring for one’s voice can lead to numerous vocal issues, such as vocal strain, vocal fatigue, and long-term damage. Research shows that female teachers are at [...]
How Anxiety in Kids & Communication Disorders Are Related
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Anxiety is a mental health issue that affects people of all ages, including children. The CDC reports that 10% of children ages 3-17 have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (9% of males and 11% of females), and that number has been on the rise. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including: * General Anxiety [...]