Please also see my Speech Blog... Spoonful of Speech...
What do speech therapists do?
Speech Therapists are trained to work with communication disorders and swallowing in adults and children. Communication disorders can be:
- Articulation (speech sounds - should be perfect by age 7)
- Language (understanding and expressing verbal and written language)
- Voice (hoarseness caused by vocal cord nodules/polyps/abuse/paralysis)
- Fluency (stuttering)
- Memory (rehab for brain injuries, dementia...)
- Social (using language appropriately - big problem in autism)
First of all... if you are asking then the answer is probably yes :)
What diagnoses indicate a need for speech therapy?
Lots :)
Autism, Developmental Delay, Speech Delay, Language Delay, Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), Apraxia, Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia, Stroke, Aphasia, Cleft Palate, Stuttering, Vocal Dysfunction, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and more :)
Check out the Speech and Hearing Milestones
If your child has not reached these milestones then contact your pediatrician to set up speech therapy. Do not let your pediatrician tell you that they are too young or that they'll grow out of it. You know your child better than anyone else and if you feel there is a delay then an evaluation can't hurt.
If your child is under 3 years old, contact your county's Early Intervention services first.
Sometimes insurances won't pay for outpatient speech therapy... contact your school district and they should have a free service. If your insurance will pay for it, do it.
Also... once in speech therapy:
- Come to your appointments - common sense - I know but you would not believe :)
- Do the homework... a little every day
- Ask for more homework and do it
- Make it fun and exciting for your child
- Remember that it doesn't happen overnight
- Don't be afraid to ask questions about your child's progress or treatment techniques
- Most kids do 100% better without their parent present during therapy
Speech Therapy Web
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Super Duper Therapy Supplies
Autism Speaks
Info for parents of children with Autism
National Stroke Association
The Stuttering Foundation
Wiki - Speech Therapy
How to pick a therapist
Wow.. This started off as a little blog in response to a blog I found bashing speech therapy... Thanks for reading!!!
hello--My son who is 11 now has been in speech therapy for prob 4- 5 years. I've moved him back into public school after a two years-too restrictive private school was not addressing his acedemic-social needs.
ReplyDeleteHis present school doesnt have the service though someone in building has offered to do the speech language service after school--He does not want to do it.
My question is-how can i tell when he doesn't need the speech services anymore. It was always more of a processing issue anyway as his laguage-speaking skills were always very articulate.
thank you.. I cannot seem to get an understanding of this.
He may have tested out. Is he getting help from a resource teacher? Or reading assistance? If he has caught up to his peers as far as reading, writing and social skills then he doesn't need it anymore. If he hasn't.... He may just need a break. 4-5 years is a long time for therapy. They burn out and quit making progress. Hope this helps.
ReplyDelete