About Avivit Ben-Aharon
Founder & Clinical Director at Great Speech Inc. | Providing Innovative Alternatives to Speech Pathology Services
Entries by Avivit Ben-Aharon
How Often Should Speech Therapy Come To You
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
With approximately 1 in 6 people in the United States having some type of communication disorder, many people seek out help from a speech therapist each year. When starting speech therapy, people often wonder how often should you go to speech therapy sessions. This is a valid question considering that speech therapy involves time, energy, [...]
Right-Side vs. Left-Side Stroke: How Recovery Differs for Speech & Movement
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. It can be very scary for the person affected as well as their friends and family. Everything can change in an instant. While many people are aware of the physical side effects, such as weakness or paralysis on one side of [...]
Is It Normal for Bilingual Children to Have Speech Delays?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Bilingualism is becoming increasingly common around the world, and 20 percent of all Americans can speak two or more languages. The number of families raising children to speak two or more languages is increasing. Some may wonder, “Is it normal for bilingual children to have speech delays?” The short answer is no, it is not [...]
Do AAC Devices Delay Speech Development?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Both verbal and non-verbal communication exchanges are crucial for learning, building relationships, and regulating emotions. Strong communication skills enable individuals to express their needs and feelings as well as understand others and navigate social interactions. For individuals who experience difficulties with natural speech due to conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, Down [...]
How Huntington’s Disease Affects Communication & How Can We Help?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Huntington's Disease Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive brain disorder. It is caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4 that results in changes to the central area of the brain, affecting a person’s physical, mental, and emotional abilities. Unfortunately, Huntington’s disease does not have a cure at [...]
5 Early Warning Signs Your Toddler May Need Speech Therapy
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
As a parent, you watch your child’s every move and celebrate their first steps, first words, and all of those little milestones in between. However, what happens when those milestones seem delayed? If your toddler isn’t talking much, is difficult to understand, or avoids communication altogether, you may be worried that something more [...]
Why Am I Suddenly Slurring My Words? (And When to Worry)
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
The onset of slurred speech can be alarming, especially when it comes on suddenly. One moment, you’re talking with ease, and the next, you’re struggling to speak clearly and coherently. Slurred speech, also known as dysarthria, is a condition where the muscles used for speaking become weak or difficult to control. This results [...]
Why Do I Mumble More as I Get Older? & Other Age-Related Speech Changes
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Have you been told that you’re mumbling more lately? Or maybe you have noticed it yourself. You are not alone. As people age, changes in speech can be expected. Natural changes occur in the vocal cords and muscles used for speech as we grow older. The medical term for the aging voice is presbyphonia. [...]
Echolalia vs. Normal Repetition: How to Tell the Difference
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Word repetition is a common behavior during the first few years of language development. As a parent or caregiver, it can be worrisome to determine if your child’s speech repetition is typical for their age or a sign of an underlying condition. What is Echolalia Echolalia is the repetition or echoing of phrases or [...]
Can Medications Cause Speech Problems?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
Medications are essential for treating a variety of physical and mental health issues. They offer relief from pain, help manage chronic conditions, and treat a variety of illnesses and disorders. Unfortunately, medications also come with an array of side effects - some of which affect speech. 66% of adults in the United States use prescription [...]
How Effective Is Virtual Speech Therapy?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
The need for speech therapy across the United States is growing. It is expected to continue rising, driven by factors such as an aging population and increased awareness of communication disorders. In the last 12 months, nearly 1 in 12 (7.7%) children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have had a disorder related to [...]
How does Down Syndrome Affect Speech and Language Development?
/ by Avivit Ben-Aharon
What is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when an individual is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are threadlike bundles of DNA, and chromosome 21 is the smallest human chromosome. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States, occurring in about 1 [...]