kõnetöös

Kõnetöös is an Estonian term that translates to "speech work" or "speech therapy." It refers to the practice of diagnosing and treating speech and language disorders in individuals of all ages. This field addresses a wide range of communication difficulties, including problems with articulation, fluency (stuttering), voice disorders, and language comprehension and expression.

Speech therapists, often referred to as kõneterapeut in Estonian, work with people who have conditions such as developmental delays, hearing impairments, cleft palate, stroke-related aphasia, or neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease that affect speech. The goal of kõnetöös is to improve a person's ability to communicate effectively, which can significantly enhance their quality of life, social interaction, and educational or professional opportunities.

The diagnostic process typically involves assessments of speech sounds, language skills, voice quality, and fluency. Treatment plans are individualized and may include exercises, therapeutic techniques, and strategies to improve oral motor skills, articulation, vocabulary, grammar, and pragmatics (social use of language). Kõnetöös can take place in various settings, including schools, hospitals, private clinics, and rehabilitation centers. The field is concerned with both receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (speaking and writing).