How can a speech-language pathologist help my child?

Pronunciation, Expression & More

It’s a magical moment when you hear your child say their first word. 

But if you notice that your kid is struggling to say more than “mama,” or “snack” is sounding more like “nack” no matter how hard they try the correct pronunciation, it’s important that you take action.

Visiting a trusted speech therapist is a great way to help your child get the help they need to not only speak better, but gain confidence in communicating with others and expressing themselves.

Read on to learn more about how speech-language pathologists can help your child and how to find the best care near you!

What is a Speech-Language Pathologist?

A speech-language pathologist, otherwise known as a speech therapist or SLP, is an expert who diagnoses and treats speech disorders, language disorders, and feeding disorders. 

Speech therapists work with adults and children of all ages and backgrounds, creating customized treatment plans specific to each patient’s situation and goals. When most people think of “speech therapy” they think of people who visit a therapist to help with stutters or other articulation issues. While SLPs treat stutters, they also treat an array of disorders and conditions, ranging from cognitive-communication disorders to swallowing issues.

Many pediatric speech pathologists will use interactive games and other hands-on activities that are both fun for the child, and designed to challenge their language, speech, or oral motor skills.

Signs Your Child Should See a Speech Therapist 

Sometimes speech, language, or feeding issues can be subtle, so it’s critical that you continue to monitor your child for any struggles. If you notice that your child is having issues speaking, saying certain words, making certain sounds, or eating, it’s a good idea to seek out an SLP.

 Here are some more common signs that your child should see a speech therapist:

• Stutteringsome text
  • “B-b-ball”
• Unable to say the ends of wordssome text
  • “Si-down” instead of “sit down”
• Struggles with certain blendssome text
  • “Moke” Instead of “smoke”
• Issues verbalizing their emotions and desiressome text
  • Tantrums versus saying, “I don’t want to go to the park.”
• Issues with following directions or following basic classroom activity instructionssome text
  • Writing, reading, drawing
• Issues with chewing, swallowing, or eating
• Struggling to say at least 50 words by age 2
• Difficulty in social situations with children their age
• Difficulty in sentence structure and combining words
• Limited use of gestures

Every child develops at their own rate, but if you notice your kid is struggling in certain areas and missing key milestones, then it’s always important to reach out to a trusted provider. Children as young as 1 year old may benefit from seeing an SLP depending on their missed milestones.

How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help My Child?

There’s no shame in getting help and meeting with a speech therapist may be just what your child needs to speak with fluency and gain confidence.

Here are only 10 of the ways your child may benefit from seeing an SLP:

1. Become Educated & Empowered

At your child’s first appointment, an SLP will use their extensive knowledge to diagnose your child with any speech, language, or feeding-related disorder(s). 

While receiving a diagnosis may fill you with fear, having your child’s struggle acknowledged and named can be empowering. Your speech therapist will let you know that your kid is not alone in their struggle, and may even give you helpful information and resources that you can use to educate yourself about your child’s disorder. 

Most importantly: you can now take steps to get your child the care they need to thrive.

2. Pronunciation

If your child is experiencing any pronunciation issues, an SLP will create a customized lesson plan to help with pronunciation, and may even give you activities you can do at home to help your kid practice.

3. Voice & Sounds

Some children may struggle to use their voice or produce certain vocal sounds. SLPs will help your kid learn how to use specific muscles needed to make everyday sounds or speak in different tones.

4. Fluency & Stuttering

SLPs can help children learn how to speak more smoothly and fluently, minimizing unnecessary breaks, interjections, pauses, or other stutters when speaking. 

Stuttering affects about 5 to 10 percent of children between the ages of 2 to 6, with some being able to outgrow it and others needing extra help. If your child struggles with stuttering, seeing a speech therapist is the best action to take.

5. Social Communication Skills

Speech therapy doesn’t only help with pronunciation, but can also help your kid develop critical social communication skills and cognitive-communication skills. Whether that’s learning social cues, how to hold a conversation, or even how to take turns playing with toys at recess, SLPs help children practice vital communication skills needed in their everyday lives.

6. Expression

SLPs also help children learn how to express themselves through a variety of communication methods. It can be frustrating not being able to express emotions, wants, or ideas (i.e., “I have to go to the bathroom” or “I want to use the red crayon, not the yellow.). 

Improving speech and treating any communication disorders can help your kid be able to become more independent and communicate effectively.

7. Oral Motor Skills

If your kid is struggling with chewing, swallowing, or other feeding skills, then an SLP can help them develop and control muscles to help them do so safely. Treatment can be extremely effective and help decrease pain and increase your child’s quality of life!

8. Literacy

It’s common for children to struggle with reading and writing if they’re experiencing a speech delay or other related issues. A speech therapist will work with your kid to help improve their literacy skills, practicing reading and writing as a way to build language acquisition–making it easier for them to learn in school!

9. Listening & Comprehension

Children who meet with an SLP may also work with their therapist to better their receptive language and listening skills. These skills may translate into their everyday life and benefit their school performance as they learn how to listen to and follow directions and comprehend spoken or written information. 

10. Additional Communication Strategies

As your kids age, and learn what works best for them, they can learn other communication strategies like AAC, or sign language to communicate, and become more confident in their communication generally.

How Does Speech Therapy Work?

If you or your child are new to speech therapy, you might be wondering how speech therapy works. To take some of the mystery out of speech therapy, we’ve put together a brief overview of the five basic steps of speech therapy:

• STEP 1: Find a trusted speech-language pathologist near you

• STEP 2: First session: exam & diagnosis
  • SLP will test for speech disorders, language disorders, and feeding disorders.

• STEP 3: Create a customized plan & schedule
  • SLP will create a customized plan and discuss a course of action that they believe will best work to treat your kid’s disorder.

• STEP 4: Start sessions!
  • In the next session, your kid will dive headfirst into fun multi-sensory lessons that help them practice whatever it is they’re struggling with.

• STEP 5: Practice, practice, practice!
  • Your child’s speech therapist will work with your kid every session and may even encourage you to do activities outside of sessions too to help with improvement.

Want to learn more about how speech therapy works? Check out this article!

How Can I Find a Speech-Language Pathologist?

Finding a trusted speech-language pathologist for your child shouldn't be difficult.

At Coral Care, we’ll help you find the best pediatric providers based on your kid’s specific needs. With easy, accessible, and affordable care, you can help your child thrive.

Click here to schedule your first in-home session.