About Avivit Ben-Aharon
Founder & Clinical Director at Great Speech Inc. | Providing Innovative Alternatives to Speech Pathology Services
Entries by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Can A Child With Autism Improve Their Ability To Communicate?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
If you are a parent of a child who is on the Autism Spectrum and who struggles to communicate, you may have asked yourself, “Will my child with autism ever be able to talk?” When discussing communication abilities in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), it is always important to note that each child diagnosed [...]
What’s the Typical Duration of Speech Therapy for Adults?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
How long should speech therapy take? This is a question that speech therapists hear every day, which is understandable, as individuals working to overcome a speech disorder or difference simply want to know when they can expect to reach their goals. The answer to this question, however, is not straightforward, as the duration of speech [...]
Understanding Prosody Disorder - Rhythm and Intonation Disorders
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Prosody, or Dysprosody, is a relatively uncommon speech disorder that is widely unfamiliar to most people. The condition is characterized by differences in the timing and rhythm of speech, as well as the cadence, intonation, and emphasis of certain words. In more simple terms, dysprosody is a rhythm and intonation disorder that affects an individual’ [...]
What are the Emerging Technologies in Speech Therapy?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Over the past ten years, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. With speech therapy traditionally focusing on human interaction, many in the speech therapy community may find themselves wondering, what does the future of speech therapy hold? These rapid technological advancements mean that almost nothing is untouched, and the speech therapy field is no [...]
How do I Know if my Child Uses Echolalia To Communicate?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
If you’ve spent time around young children, you’ve likely heard them repeat or mimic the spoken words or sounds of others. This form of imitation is referred to as echolalia, a term derived from the Greek language combining “echo” and “lalia,” translating to “to repeat speech.” Echolalia is considered a normal and important [...]
How Do You Treat Mutational Falsetto?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Mutational falsetto (also referred to as puberphonia, adolescent falsetto, or pubescent falsetto) is a type of functional voice disorder that causes individuals to habitually use a high-pitched voice following puberty. Some individuals with this disorder may speak with a breathy, rough, or weak-sounding voice. Mutational falsetto typically emerges during adolescence, in most cases between 11 [...]
What does Hypokinetic Dysarthria Sound Like?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Individuals facing hypokinetic dysarthria typically struggle significantly to speak clearly and with ease, making everyday communication a major challenge. Hypokinetic dysarthria is classified as a motor speech disorder caused by neurological damage that leads to weakened muscles required for speech production. Neurological conditions such as a brain tumor or Parkinson’s disease can cause damage [...]
What are the Social Benefits of Speech Therapy?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Speech therapy has traditionally been associated with helping children with delayed speech development, lisps, or stutters. Did you know that speech therapy can help you develop friendships and improve your social skills? Social communication skills allow for effective verbal and nonverbal interactions with others. We use words to communicate, but we also use word choice, [...]
What are the Symptoms of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Orofacial Myofunctional disorders (also referred to as OMDs) are conditions that affect the muscles in the face and mouth. These disorders inhibit the normal development, function, and growth of these muscles resulting in significant challenges with speech production and overall communication. Individuals of all ages can be affected by these conditions, and the impact on [...]
5 Easy Tips to Stop Stuttering
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Approximately 3 million Americans are affected by a stuttering speech disorder (also known as a fluency disorder.) Stuttering causes individuals to uncontrollably repeat, interrupt, or prolong certain word sounds, syllables, or words when speaking. Individuals who stutter know what they want to say but have difficulty getting the words out in a clear and fluent [...]
Vocal Cord Abuse
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
We use our voices dozens of times each day to communicate with those around us and express our unique thoughts, ideas, and needs. For most of us, we can use our voices as needed without risking damage or discomfort in our voice or vocal cords. Some individuals, however, have professions or hobbies that require extensive [...]
Can Speech Therapy Help with Tourette’s?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Renowned French doctor Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette first identified Tourette’s Syndrome as a distinct condition in 1885. Tourette’s Syndrome often causes affected individuals to produce various vocal and motor (physical) tics. A tic is a sudden and involuntary movement or vocalization that is often rapid and repetitive. Some individuals with TS [...]