Ever wondered if you child needs Speech Therapy?
I know I am soooo excited I almost spilled my coffee!
Ya’ll we are in for a treat! As a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner one of my most common referrals is to a Speech Language Pathologist. These amazing professionals are the cornerstone for advancing children with some of the most common developmental delays and I could not be more thankful for all their hard work. I am beyond thrilled to share the amazing
Jenn Lee, M.S., CCC-SLP, a Speech Language Pathologist with you and all of her knowledge with over a decade of experience at one of Dallas, Texas premiere pediatric facilities she is my go-to for all questions.
So, cozy up! Jenn is diving into ALLL your questions about speech language pathology and how it could help your sweet little.
Find a quiet spot, your bathroom, car, or closet you don’t want to miss this! The amazing Jenn Lee, M.S., CCC-SLP!!!!!
Have you ever wondered if your child is “on track” with speech, language, or feeding skills? As a Speech Pathologist and a mama to three young children, I am consistently asked to talk to friends, neighbors, and even strangers about the 2-year-old who isn’t talking yet, the newborn who is having difficulty nursing, or the 4-year-old who starts stuttering during conversations.
Delays or difficulties with early speech, language, and feeding skills are much more common than you might think and can be directly and individually targeted in speech therapy. As mamas raising children in 2022, I know we feel the pressure social media can play in comparing our child’s skills or lack thereof, to others. Don’t panic, there is hope!
Today, I’d like to expand a little on what a Speech Language Pathologist is, what we evaluate as well as skills we work on in therapy, and how to go about obtaining speech therapy services if your mama intuition tells you to seek out additional resources for your child.
What is a Speech Language Pathologist?
A Speech Language Pathologist, or SLP, is an expert in communication as well as feeding and swallowing skills. A Speech Language Pathologist has a graduate level degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and will be certified through the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. Speech Pathologists work with people of all ages, from birth to the elderly on a wide variety of difficulties including:
Speech sounds or “articulation”—how we say sounds and put sounds together into words. For example, your child might say “wabbit” for “rabbit”.
Language—how well we understand or comprehend language (receptive communication) as well as verbal output (expressive communication). For example, your pediatrician might ask you at your well visits to fill out a survey regarding your child’s ability to: follow simple commands, use words rather than gestures to communicate, or understand directional terms such as up, down, or under.
Social communication—how well we interact with others, including skills like turn-taking, eye contact, and understanding non-verbal communication/emotions.
Fluency—also called stuttering, is how well speech flows. Someone who stutters may repeat sounds, like c-c-c-cat, use "um" or "uh," or pause a lot when speaking. Stuttering can be a normal part of development, and many times kids “grow out” of it. Other times they may need some assistance or strategies to get their words out.
Feeding and swallowing also called dysphagia—how well our mouth works to move, suck, chew, and swallow foods and liquids. A swallowing disorder may lead to poor nutrition, weight loss, refusal or aversions to certain foods/liquids, and other health problems. A child may also have difficulty with the way certain foods taste, smell, or feel, and only take a small amount of food/brand specific foods only, that may lack well-rounded nutrition for a balanced diet.
So what do I do if I notice a potential speech or feeding difficulty with my child?
The first thing I would do is have a conversation with your pediatrician. If it’s something you can observe and video, then try to capture it on your phone to show to the doctor. I love it when parents bring in additional resources to help me to understand exactly what’s going on with their child. The pediatrician is well-versed in developmental milestones and if they believe that there is reason to pursue an evaluation, they will write you a referral for a Speech Therapy Evaluation to determine the need for intervention.
What are my options for treatment?
Most pediatricians have a list of qualified Speech Language Pathologists in the area who could assist you in assessment.
There are many different service models for delivery of therapy services including:
Early Childhood Intervention or ECI for ages 0-3
Your local public school may offer services pending age/needs (starting at age 3)
Outpatient clinic usually associated with a medical facility
Private practice
Home health setting where the therapist would come to your home/daycare
Your insurance, time, and ability to take to your child to appointments, will be big factors in which type of facility will serve your family best.
How does Speech Therapy work?
Once you’ve been given a referral from your doctor, an evaluation will be set up and conducted at whatever facility was able to accommodate your family. Once evaluated, the scores/assessment will determine the need for therapy for your child. You should have an idea by the end of the visit on if therapy will be recommended and for how long. Generally, it will take several weeks to run through the insurance to ensure proper coverage for your visits.
Tips for evaluation and treatment:
Give detailed information on the intake forms, history, and parent questionnaire.
Try to plan the evaluation or treatment at a time during the day when your child might be the most cooperative, awake, and not hungry (unless it’s a feeding evaluation where they want to see your child eat).
Write down any questions or concerns you have so that you won’t forget during the session.
Make sure you and your child “click” well with the therapist. It wouldn’t do anyone any good if it’s a poor match.
Ask for homework! Let the therapist know that you are willing and able to assist with a home exercise program to boost your child’s learning and make progress faster.
Final Thoughts on Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy may not have been something on your radar when you had a child, but, if the need arises, there is a highly dedicated group of individuals who are ready and willing to help you and your child reach your goals within speech, language, social, or feeding skills. We are passionate about early intervention, having FUN while working towards goals, and providing the best possible outcome for your child and family.
I know! Isn’t Jenn Lee amazing?! If you feel like your child would benefit from Speech Therapy schedule your appointment today for a referral!
