Friday 15 May 2015

When Considering Speech Therapy For Toddlers Tucson Parents Should Understand These Guidelines

By Tammie Caldwell


Learning to talk is one of the major developmental milestones of a child's early years, however it can also be an area where some children struggle due to a delay caused by one of several disorders. Fortunately this type of problem can usually be overcome with early intervention. If considering the option of speech therapy for toddlers Tucson AZ parents will find these points to be helpful and informative.

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.

If the parents notice anything which doesn't seem right where their child's speaking is concerned, it's best to discuss these concerns with the pediatrician or family doctor who will most likely refer the case to a speech-language pathologist, or "speech therapist" as they are commonly called. Specializing in the study of human speech, its development, and disorders, these professionals require at least a master's degree and they must be certified by ASHA, the American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Being competent and experienced in their field is certainly important, but so is having a great way of communicating with young children. The therapist one chooses must not only be knowledgeable, but also someone kids will enjoy spending time with and feel comfortable around.

Therapeutic approaches used should be those which have been proven successful through multiple research studies. Contacting some other parents of children who have undergone therapy with the particular therapist may be useful to get some feedback. The parents need to play an active role in their child's treatment, kept updated as to his or her progress, and their concerns and questions should be welcome at any time.

At the first meeting with the speech therapist, he or she will become acquainted with the toddler and conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the presence and cause of any verbal communication problems. Standardized tests will be used to assess the young patient's receptive and expressive language skills, clarity and tone used for speaking, and also the oral structures such as the tongue, palate and such which are involved in speaking.

If a problem is detected, a suitable course of therapy will be recommended. Parents should be welcome to observe or participate in these individual, group, or class sessions. Props such as books, pictures, and objects will be used to make the sessions fun and interesting. Articulation therapy, in which the child is shown how to make certain sounds, and possibly oral exercises to strengthen muscles of the mouth may also be implemented if indicated.

It is important for parents to continue to build upon at home, what their child has learned and accomplished with the therapist. Frequent and purposeful use of language such as "narrating" one's activities, feelings, and surroundings, or sharing a book and involving the toddler in naming familiar pictures etc. Help further development and establish the parent as part of the "team".




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