8 Ways a Speech-Language Pathologist Can Help Your Child
Have you ever had to translate what your child is saying to others? Does your child get frustrated when trying to communicate? A Speech-Language Pathologist can help!
Speech-Language Pathologists (or SLPs for short) are communication specialists. SLPs work with people of all ages to build communication skills from speaking and listening to reading and writing. SLPs have a wide scope and can help with many speech and language problems including:
1. Articulation
Articulation is how we say something. Some children have difficulty producing sounds clearly or their internal system of sounds and sound patterns may be impaired. A speech pathologist can help your child with a Speech Sound Disorder by teaching them to produce sounds clearly, how to distinguish between different sounds, and when to use each sound.
2. Expressive Language
Expressive Language is what we say. Some children may have difficulty choosing the right words to use or combining words into phrases. These difficulties can make it hard for your child to express all their ideas fully - you can imagine how frustrating that would be! A speech pathologist can help your child build expressive language skills, build vocabulary, and communicate in longer phrases.
“A speech pathologist can work with you and your family to create a supportive environment to allow your child’s communication skills to grow and flourish. ”
3. Receptive Language
Receptive Language is understanding what is said. If your child has difficulty with receptive language, they may have a hard time following directions, understanding conversations, or following classroom instruction. A speech pathologist can help your child understand the language around them so they can engage more fully with their environment.
4. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
AAC means all forms of communication other than speaking. Some children use AAC as their primary means of communication, while others use it to supplement their speech. AAC can range from gesturing and drawing, to using an app or computer with a “voice” to communicate. An SLP can help your family navigate the world of AAC, find the right method or device for your child, and teach you and your child how to use AAC to communicate effectively.
5. Voice/Resonance
Voice and resonance refer to the quality of the sound produced during speech such as the loudness, quality, or pitch of a voice. A speech pathologist can help your child learn to use their voice more effectively and efficiently and make appropriate referrals to other healthcare professionals when needed.
6. Literacy
Literacy refers to the abilities of reading and writing which are essential for your child’s academic success, especially in later years of elementary school as children switch from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”. Literacy skills are closely tied to oral language skills; a challenge with one may lead to difficulties with the other. A speech pathologist can help identify specific areas of difficulty for your child and build their literacy skills to meet their academic and personal needs.
7. Fluency/Stuttering
Fluency is the flow of speech. Fluency issues , such as stuttering, result in breaks in the rhythm of your child’s speech through repetitions, blocks, and atypical changes in the rate of speech that impact the ability to express ideas and be easily understood. A speech pathologist can work with your child to decrease the rate of these disfluencies and teach effective strategies to navigate them during conversation.
8. Education and strategies for you & your family
As the saying goes “knowledge is power”, the more you understand about the way your child communicates, the more empowered you will feel to support them. A speech pathologist can work with you and your family to create a supportive environment to allow your child’s communication skills to grow and flourish.
Arlie Christie, Speech & Language Pathologist
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