Speech and language therapy sessions are based in the individual needs of the child, depending on your child’s evaluation. The therapist will recommend the frequency, duration of the sessions, and the goals.
A speech therapist works with children in a variety of ways to overcome their speech – language disorder. Keep in mind each program is specifically designed to treat the needs of each individual child, there are a variety of techniques including:
Language Activities
These include talking and playing, using objects, books, pictures, or events to help stimulate language development. The speech therapist will use repetition exercise and model correct pronunciation to build language and speech skills.
Articulation Therapy
These include talking and playing, using objects, books, pictures, or events to help stimulate language development. The speech therapist will use repetition exercise and model correct pronunciation to build language and speech skills.
Sound or articulation production typically involves the speech therapist modeling correct syllables and sounds for your child, commonly during games and play activities. These exercises specifically related to your child speech therapy needs and age appropriate. This includes physically showing your child how to move the muscles in their mouth to make certain sounds, demonstrating how to move their tongue to make a certain sound, such as the “t” or “r” sounds. A mirror is often used for this activity.
Oral Motor Therapy
This includes swallowing and chewing issues. A speech therapist often uses a range of oral exercises, such as a variety of tongue, jaw, and lip exercises to health strengthen mouth muscles. As well as different food temperatures and textures to increase oral awareness.
Support
A speech therapist is there to support you, your child, and family. They may suggest tips, recourses, and activities to do with your child at home to help increase their speech and language development.
At First Words Speech Therapy, we have developed a holistic approach to the therapy process wherein your child’s care can be coordinated with other therapy disciplines (Occupational, Physical, Behavioral, etc.) to attain optimal results in all necessary developmental areas.
