Anthroposophic
therapeutic speech is an artistic therapy for both speaking and
nonspeaking children and adults.
Using as its medium
speech sounds, speech rhythms and the breath, treatment involves
speaking individually tailored sequences of specifically developed
speech and voice exercises combined with movement and gestures.
Poetry is also used, where its inherent rhythm and requirements for
breath use are called upon to support the process. Poetry content
serves as a means of expressing emotion or describing the world
outside. Movement and gesture are central in the treatment of
non-speaking patients.
Therapeutic programmes
are individually tailored and require the active participation of
patients in their own developmental process.
Anthroposophic
therapeutic speech addresses speech disorders, disturbances in
speech development and imbalances stemming from developmental,
psychological and/or pathological disturbances. It is indicated,
for example, in the case of vocal problems such as lisping,
stuttering and hoarseness, or the presence of vocal nodules.
Therapeutic speech may
also be health promoting and beneficial in treating a wide variety
of physical and psychological conditions including
* respiratory disorders
* heart and circulatory illnesses
* asthma
* stress-related illnesses such as panic and anxiety attacks
* hyperventilation
* depression
* low self esteem and
* anorexia
Anthroposophic
therapeutic speech is also helpful in the accompaniment of life
threatening illnesses such as cancer and AIDS.