You have to be vigilant and careful about the progress of your child when you engage a speech language pathologist (SLP). As a parent, you have a right to know what is happening on the progress. Moreover, there are innumerable ways in which you can help the process of speech therapy. It is common sense that the therapist will not be around for the entire day to help your child! You have to chip in with some valuable practice sessions.
Detailed Study by Speech Language Pathologist
In order to make your role more useful in the speech therapy process, you need to ask some questions to the therapist. These questions have multiple purposes. To start off with, you need to ask the therapist about the progress within the context of a time frame. You know, of course, that these speech language therapy sessions do not and cannot yield instant results! In fact, it may not be months before you actually find something improving. Consult the therapist about progress in a year and compare the results.
Evaluate the participation and cooperation of your child. Are they responsive to the lessons or are they losing interest within minutes? Often, what works for one child does not work for another. The therapist must understand this differentiation. There is a date when the therapist has to bunk a theory that is not working and try something else. You have to come in as a parent if the speech language therapist is not being able to assess the situation objectively. Talk to the therapist and try to work out a way to negotiate the hurdle.
There will be that important question of how you can help the process. The SLP professional can highlight and earmark your role. It is not that of a bystander or idle evaluator! You have to roll up your sleeves and dive right in. You can pick up some practice lessons from the therapist or check up online. Consult your speech therapist if these can be tried out and then begin to work on the child. Prepare the child for therapy lessons and take active participation in ensuring that the child does not lag back in working on the words of advice offered by the therapist.
The SLPs at Speech Plus communicate with parents and guardians regularly to keep them updated about progress and discuss ways to improve therapy lessons. Talk to our team today about your child’s speech therapy.