A child’s speech and language skills are one of the most important indicators of their intellectual development. If you suspect that your child has a delay in these areas, it is essential to get them tested as soon as possible. The sooner they start therapy, the better their chances for recovery.
The earlier an issue is diagnosed, the easier it will be to correct with early intervention treatment before problems become more severe and harder to address. Early diagnosis also means quicker access to services such as speech therapy or occupational therapy, which can help support children during this crucial time when they are developing so much physically and cognitively.
What we’ll cover in this article
- What are the different types of speech therapy
- How to find a qualified therapist in your area
- The benefits of getting your child involved with early intervention treatment
- Why parents might make common mistakes when choosing a therapist for their children
- How to choose the right therapist for your family’s needs
- Resources available to help you get started on finding the right therapist for your family
What is speech therapy?
Speech therapy can be used for a variety of purposes. It’s useful to people who have difficulty speaking and those that need minor adjustments in their vocal patterns, such as stuttering or lisping. Speech therapists will use exercises and games to help them perfect the way they speak more naturally by changing some speech habits which are difficult for these individuals
How to find a qualified therapist in your area
First, you should contact an autism expert or an expert in speech and language development. Ask them for a list of qualified, experienced therapists in your local area.
Search online using keywords like “speech therapist near me” or “language therapist near me.” You can also ask your pediatrician or school district for recommendations. At the very least, you should check with their professional associations to make sure they are licensed and accredited. To find a speech-language pathologist in your area, contact: www.asha.org
If you live near Thibodaux, LA, we’d love to meet you and provide a free phone assessment of your child’s needs.
The benefits of getting your child involved with early intervention treatment
Early intervention is when you get help before the problem gets worse. By getting help sooner, you might be able to make a more significant difference for your child than if you wait until it’s too late. It might take some extra time and effort initially, but it will save you a lot of time and trouble down the road.
The earlier a problem is diagnosed, the easier it will be to correct with early intervention treatment before problems become more severe and harder to address. Early diagnosis also means quicker access to services such as speech therapy or occupational therapy, which can help support children.
Why parents might make common mistakes when choosing a therapist for their children
Parents might make mistakes when choosing a therapist for their children because they don’t take the time to learn about all the different types of speech therapy and what type is best for their specific child. They might also choose a speech therapist too soon and not give themselves enough time to find the right one.
If parents want to make sure that they choose the right therapist, they should ask around and see who other people have used before or check with someone in a professional association (like ASHA). If they are entirely unsure of where to start, it would be helpful to consult with a professional. They can tell you what to look for in a good speech therapist and help you find one before it gets too late.
Another thing that parents might do is take their child to see a doctor but not mention the problem with talking. This is important because even if they have many other issues, like anxiety or depression, talking is a huge part of expressing yourself. Some kids might feel like they are not being heard when they try to talk about something bothering them, but people can’t understand what they’re saying.
Parents should also remember that speech therapy isn’t just for young children- it could be a good idea for adults with problems talking, too!
How to choose the right therapist for your family’s needs
To start, make sure you know what kind of problem your child has so you know which type of speech therapy is best for them. For example, a toddler with trouble saying the correct sounds would need help with phonological awareness and articulation, while a child with dyslexia would need help in reading.
It would be best if you also spoke to an autism expert or speech and language development expert about different therapists they might recommend near you. Some internet searches will also be helpful- keywords like “speech therapist near me” or “language therapist near me.”
If you don’t have any luck on your own, try asking their pediatrician or school district for recommendations.
Then, you can start scheduling some appointments. Ask them about what they do in therapy and how they will work with your child. It’s a good idea to ask about the goals for that session and each appointment. If you are very involved in your child’s education, you can consider asking what would be helpful for your involvement.
Some parents like to work with their therapists to learn how to support their children at home. Maybe you will only need 1 or 2 appointments, or perhaps you will need them more frequently for a few months.
Don’t wait until there is a problem with your child’s speech. It might be good to start looking into different therapy options and find out about how it works. If you think that early intervention would be helpful for your situation, talk to a professional and learn about speech therapy before there is a problem.
Conclusion
Choosing the right speech therapist for your family is a challenging task. The best way to find one that can help with whatever problem you’re facing may be difficult without some guidance. Thankfully, many online and offline resources will guide you closer to finding someone who might be able to work on their specific needs.
If all of this sounds intimidating and you want help enacting these principles, let us know. Our team of trained therapists at Sensory Solutions are ready and waiting to partner with you.
If you would like more information about any cognitive neuroscience principles you can apply at home, we would love to help.
