Unlocking Your Child’s Communication Potential 

If your child has trouble with speech, understanding body language or even swallowing, you may want to enroll them in speech-language therapy. It can help improve their verbal, nonverbal and social communication skills while enhancing their overall quality of life.  

What to Expect  

After assessing and diagnosing your child, a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) will develop an evidence-based therapy program that’s tailored to your child’s needs. For example, they may focus on improving your child’s receptive language, expressive language and/or social communication. Or they work with your child if they’re having swallowing challenges.  

The SLP can also teach your child how to use an augmented communication device if they are unable to speak, write or use sign language. Plus, the SLP can provide you with helpful strategies to improve and cope with your child’s communication challenges.  

Benefits of Speech-Language Therapy  

The main benefit of speech-language therapy is that it can help your child learn how to communicate more effectively. Whether that’s improving their pronunciation, expanding their vocabulary or addressing other disorders. As your child’s communication skills improve, so will their confidence.  

One other benefit is being able to choose where you’d like your child to take therapy. Typically, therapy sessions are offered in clinics, schools and individuals’ homes, so you’ll be able to select the place that’s most comfortable for your child.  

Understanding Common Terms  

If you think your child needs speech therapy, here are some common terms you should know:  

  • Speech has to do with how we say sounds and words.  
     
  • Receptive language is about understanding others.  
     
  • Expressive language is the sharing of thoughts, ideas and feelings. 
      
  • Social communication is the social use of verbal and nonverbal communication.  
     
  • Feeding and swallowing have to do with how individuals eat and complete the eating process.  
  • Cognitive communication refers to organizing thoughts, paying attention, remembering, planning and solving problems.  

For more information on speech-language disorders, reach out to your child’s pediatrician or a licensed SLP in your area.