Parents often worry about the need for therapy when their children do not begin talking early enough. In most cases, the concern is valid. Early intervention is the key to good progress in the early years of school. Before you begin looking for a therapist, there are a few things you should know about speech pathology, so that you can better understand what therapists do and how they can help your child.
There are many speech milestones for children between infancy and the time they begin school. Even though all children begin speaking at different times, they should be attempting to create words by age 1. They should be able to say common words and ask for familiar foods and items by name by the age of 2 and also be able to string small sentences together. By the age of 7, children should have the ability to pronounce words perfectly. There may be other times your child’s doctor or their school will suggest help from a therapist as well.
In some cases, your child’s doctor may suggest a therapist if they diagnose autism, dysphagia, brain injuries, cleft palate or stuttering. If a child’s speech is delayed or they have difficulty forming sentences when they should be able to, your doctor may give you information about speech pathology that will help you get the therapist your child needs. Since therapists often specialise in different areas, it is necessary to choose the correct pathologist.
Getting the Most Out of Your Child’s Speech Therapy
There are some other important factors beyond choosing the therapist that will help your child get the most out of their therapy. The first is basically common sense, but it needs to be mentioned: show up for the appointments. Knowing all about speech pathology and finding the right therapist won’t help your child if you don’t show up for the actual therapy. Make sure your child does the homework given. Therapy doesn’t all happen in the office at the time of the appointment. The skills needed to overcome most difficulties require constant practice. You may have to help your child with the assignments, so set aside enough time during the day to get them done.
Be patient. The most important thing to remember about speech pathology is that the problems are not solved in a single session. They take work and lots of repetition. Keep up with the work and make it fun for your child. When you have questions, don’t be afraid to talk to your child’s pathologist and you can ask them for help in making the homework fun and creative as well.
If you have questions about speech pathology contact your local doctor, who will arrange for you to see a speech pathologist. We‘ll provide you with a straightforward, efficient and very effective treatment plan targeted to your concerns. Contact Us Today!
