What You Need To Know About Speech Therapy

Many would be surprised to learn that speech therapy is not just for speech. It can be broad and include numerous diagnoses and treatments (such as swallowing, feeding, oral motor difficulties, speech delays, language delays, articulation delays, etc.). A wide range of therapy approaches may be used in the speech therapy session. Some examples may include bilingual speech therapy, sensory-based speech therapy, play-based speech therapy, Natural Language Acquisition, DIR Floortime, SOS feeding, Beckman Oral Motor, etc. Many speech therapists have subspecialties, which are usually related to the areas where they have the most education, certifications, and experience.

I am a strong advocate for seeking specialized speech therapy services because it is nearly impossible for one speech therapist to do it all. I would compare it to going to a specialist doctor. For example, I will see a kidney specialist (nephrologist) if I have a kidney issue. Yes, other medical professionals, such as a primary care doctor, may be helpful; however, we expect the specialist to be the most knowledgeable and, therefore, provide the best level of care. The same can be said for speech therapy. If your 2-year-old is not communicating, you may want to seek a speech therapist knowledgeable and experienced in play-based approaches. With that said, experience does not always equate to great therapy. Yes, there is no substitute for experience. However, I believe the best speech therapists are passionate, committed to learning, and, most importantly, support the entire family.

Children who gain the most from therapy are not those who get the most therapy but rather those who get the best quality therapy.

Edda is the mother of an autistic young girl and has shared her experience.

“I have a child that has required speech therapy for a long time. At the beginning of our journey, I was unaware of all the subspecialties and specific supports my child needed to thrive in speech therapy. I trusted the professionals even when it went against my gut instinct. This led to many meltdowns, a financial burden, and numerous unnecessary hours spent driving and in waiting rooms. When I became in tune with my child’s unique needs, I could identify the areas where she needed the most support. When I finally found a speech therapist that was a good fit for us, we began to see progress. I truly wish I had known this at the beginning of our journey. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way. Always trust your gut.”

The first thing is to trust your gut. You know your child better than any professional ever could. It may be time to find a new speech therapist if you are uncomfortable with a speech therapy approach and/or don’t feel supported.

Some questions that may be helpful are: Why does your child need speech therapy? Is there an underlying medical condition? What medical diagnosis does your child have that may impact speech-language development? What are the specific areas you would like to target in speech therapy? Are there any speech therapy approaches that may fit your child well? All these answers may guide searching for a good speech therapist.