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.