Children learn how to speak and communicate at their own pace, however it can happen that sometimes a child finds this particularly challenging due to a developmental delay. Timely intervention is essential to successfully overcoming this obstacle. When contemplating speech therapy for toddlers Tucson AZ parents should have a good understanding of the following guidelines.
During the toddler years, between the ages of one and three, there are some signs parents need to be aware of which may signal a speaking problem. These include the most obvious which is not responding to sound or vocalizing, as well as not using gestures, difficulty imitating sounds, trouble understanding and following simple verbal requests, and later does not produce words or phrases.
The family doctor or pediatrician will evaluate the child, and most likely recommend that he or she be seen by a speech-language pathologist, more commonly referred to as a "speech therapist". In order to practice in this discipline, these professionals must have obtained at least a master's degree in the speech pathology, and be certified by ASHA, the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
It's important to choose a therapist who is not only very competent in his or her field, but also makes the child feel comfortable and is able to devise an effective program of therapy tailored to his or her specific condition and needs. The therapist must be someone who enjoys working with children and clearly demonstrates this by the great rapport they share with them and by making therapy fun in a toddler-friendly way.
Treatment plans should be based on actual research that has demonstrated their efficacy in repeat studies. Discussing the results the therapist has produced with parents of children who have seen him or her previously is a good idea. The therapist should include the parents every step of the way throughout the course of the therapy, updating them on their child's progress, and being open to discuss any questions or concerns they may have.
The first meeting with the speech therapist serves as an opportunity for the toddler to become familiar with him or her and an evaluation will also be done at this time. Standardized tests to assess the child's expressive and receptive language skills, tone and clarity when talking, and any abnormalities of the oral structures. Any anomalies should be apparent during this assessment.
Based on the therapist's findings, a treatment plan will be devised if a problem is noted. Sessions may be delivered either in a one-on-one, group, or class format, in all cases parents should be welcome to participate or simply watch. Toddler-friendly games, songs, books, pictures, and other suitable objects are integrated used to create a fun atmosphere. Articulation therapy, which teaches sound through imitation, and oral strengthening exercises may also be practiced.
Parents need to ensure that their child will continue to put what he or she has learned from the therapist to practice at home. This can be done in ways such as naming familiar images in a picture book, or by verbalizing the sights, activities, and feelings one experiences in a day, through the use of purposeful speech.
During the toddler years, between the ages of one and three, there are some signs parents need to be aware of which may signal a speaking problem. These include the most obvious which is not responding to sound or vocalizing, as well as not using gestures, difficulty imitating sounds, trouble understanding and following simple verbal requests, and later does not produce words or phrases.
The family doctor or pediatrician will evaluate the child, and most likely recommend that he or she be seen by a speech-language pathologist, more commonly referred to as a "speech therapist". In order to practice in this discipline, these professionals must have obtained at least a master's degree in the speech pathology, and be certified by ASHA, the American Speech Language Hearing Association.
It's important to choose a therapist who is not only very competent in his or her field, but also makes the child feel comfortable and is able to devise an effective program of therapy tailored to his or her specific condition and needs. The therapist must be someone who enjoys working with children and clearly demonstrates this by the great rapport they share with them and by making therapy fun in a toddler-friendly way.
Treatment plans should be based on actual research that has demonstrated their efficacy in repeat studies. Discussing the results the therapist has produced with parents of children who have seen him or her previously is a good idea. The therapist should include the parents every step of the way throughout the course of the therapy, updating them on their child's progress, and being open to discuss any questions or concerns they may have.
The first meeting with the speech therapist serves as an opportunity for the toddler to become familiar with him or her and an evaluation will also be done at this time. Standardized tests to assess the child's expressive and receptive language skills, tone and clarity when talking, and any abnormalities of the oral structures. Any anomalies should be apparent during this assessment.
Based on the therapist's findings, a treatment plan will be devised if a problem is noted. Sessions may be delivered either in a one-on-one, group, or class format, in all cases parents should be welcome to participate or simply watch. Toddler-friendly games, songs, books, pictures, and other suitable objects are integrated used to create a fun atmosphere. Articulation therapy, which teaches sound through imitation, and oral strengthening exercises may also be practiced.
Parents need to ensure that their child will continue to put what he or she has learned from the therapist to practice at home. This can be done in ways such as naming familiar images in a picture book, or by verbalizing the sights, activities, and feelings one experiences in a day, through the use of purposeful speech.
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