If you’ve looked online for information about speech therapy for children, it can be overwhelming due to the number of myths on the internet. In fact, misinformation has become one of the biggest barriers to receiving treatment.
Such as, parents who have read that speech and language difficulties typically improve with age (myth), delay putting their child in speech therapy.
Accurate information is vital when it comes to our children. Here are a few pediatric speech therapy myths we’ve heard at First Words Speech Therapy.
Myth: Speech therapists don’t really do much, just play with children.
Children love to play, which is a very effective approach in speech therapy. But it is so much more than just play time.
Incorporating fun activities and games into therapy is proven to be very effective in helping children reach their speech and language goals.
Myth: Children will out grow their speech disorder.
It’s the most common myth surrounding speech therapy. Sure, there is the ‘wait and see’ approach, hoping your child will outgrow their speech delay. Unfortunately, this approach can cause serious challenges down the road.
Speech and language is a vital aspect of every child’s development. It influences their relationships, their academic achievements, and their overall well-being. When a child is faced with communication issues, it can hinder the developmental progress. Early intervention is key to empowering a child to thrive and overcome their challenges.
“We know parents want the best for their children. However, they may hear messages that encourage a ‘wait and see’ approach by suggesting a child may grow out of a communication issue. Unfortunately, this often is not the case. Delaying treatment means children may miss a critical developmental window where they acquire a majority of their foundational speech and language skills, which occurs between birth and 3 years of age, ” said Elise Davis-McFarland, PhD, CCC-SLP, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Research consistently shows early intervention for children with a speech delay can significantly improve their outcome in social interaction, communication skills, and academic success
Developing fundamental communication concepts is vital for a child’s success. Speech therapy is important since language skills sequentially build on each other, which means if there are gaps or delays in the process, it can affect a child’s ability to learn, as wells future success.
To attain optimal results, First Words Speech Therapy has developed a holistic approach designed to meet your child’s basic, medical, emotional, and academics needs as they pertain to speech and language.
We help your child learn to communicate through play. Teaching them a variety of ways to express themselves through toys, crafts and books. The exact method will depend on your child’s needs.
If you have concerns about your child’s speech or language development, it is important to contact a speech therapist, pediatrician, teacher, or school counselor, and request an assessment.
At First Words Speech Therapy we work with children, their parents and caregivers, giving them the resources needed for success.
