Making the appointment for your child’s first speech therapy session is a big step, but it’s just the first one. Getting your child to accept therapy and even be excited about it takes some preparation. Discover how to prepare children for speech therapy.
Talk to Your Child About Therapy
If there’s one thing to avoid when signing your child up for speech therapy, it’s surprising them. Most kids like to have a predictable schedule, so surprising your child with speech therapy can be a negative experience for them.
Instead, talk to your child about therapy beforehand so they know what to expect. Tell them that the therapist is going to help them work on their speech. You might say something like this: “Hey Sarah, you know how Mommy has been helping you say the word ‘three?’ Our new friend, Emily, is going to help you, too.”
Keep Your Tone Positive
When introducing the idea of speech therapy, it’s important to avoid using any language that could upset your child. If they don’t like doctors (and let’s be honest, most kids don’t), avoid using the therapist’s title when your child is present. First names are often easier for children to connect with.
When you talk about therapy, make sure to keep your tone upbeat. Therapy isn’t something your child should fear or feel ashamed about, and your tone can make sure they see it as a fun experience. You can use phrases like “It’s almost time to play with words with Emily! Are you excited?” If you need to, you can promise a reward after the session.
Keep Appointment Times Consistent
As we said before, most kids don’t like surprises. This is even more typical for kids with learning disabilities. In order to avoid making therapy a disruption, schedule the appointments for the same day and time each week so your child knows what to expect. Therapy will become part of their daily routine, which will prompt fewer outbursts.
Increase Your Child’s Focus
When preparing children for speech therapy, it’s important to make sure they are in the best frame of mind before the session. There are several things you can do to help:
Make sure your child has the right energy level
Have your child use the bathroom
Make sure your child isn’t hungry or thirsty
Do warm-ups with your child
Dealing With Excess Energy
If your child has therapy lessons when they come home from school, you may find that it’s hard for them to sit still. Make sure that your child has an opportunity to run around in the backyard, do jumping jacks, or do another activity that uses up some energy. Kids who have ADHD or ADD may find it especially helpful to do a high-energy activity first before settling down for therapy.
Increasing Energy
Whatever you do, make sure you don’t accidentally wear your child out before therapy. Some kids are used to getting a nap in the afternoon. If this is the case, make sure your child has the opportunity to recover their energy before therapy. Kids who are tired are more likely to struggle and get frustrated with themselves.
Taking Care of Physical Needs
Being hungry or thirsty when you’re trying to learn can negatively impact your chance of success. To make sure your child is ready to learn, give them a snack and a drink 15 to 30 minutes before the therapy session is set to begin. It’s a good idea to have them use the bathroom before the meeting starts, too. This ensures you get the maximum therapy time for your child.
Occasionally, children will use needing a snack or going to the bathroom as an excuse to get out of their lessons. They may do this because they’re having trouble focusing or because they want to play instead. If you’ve already made sure that your child is fed and has napped and used the bathroom, it will be easier to spot these little fibs.
Doing Warm-Up Exercises
A quick warm-up with your child is a great way to get them in the mindset for therapy. Use one of their favorite exercises, or make up a quick game. You can even combine these exercises with getting out some of your child’s energy (e.g., “Run to that corner and say a word that begins with A!”)
Eliminating Distractions
Just like adults, kids perform better when there are no distractions around. You can help by making sure your child has a specific place to do their therapy, like their room. The idea is to put therapy in a low-traffic space where your child feels comfortable. If you have other children or pets, make sure they don’t have access to the room where therapy is taking place.
Should You Join in the Therapy?
Unless you’re on your phone the whole time, your presence at therapy doesn’t count as a distraction. In fact, being there for your child’s session can help you better understand what your child needs in order to be successful. Let the therapist guide you when it comes to how much you interact with the lesson.
One thing to know ahead of time is that your child might behave differently for the therapist than they do at home with you. Since your child knows and trusts you, they may feel more comfortable being a little obstinate from time to time. Since the therapist is more of a stranger, your child may seek to please them more than they do with you. It’s not personal, and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong!
Choosing Online Therapy
If your child needs speech therapy, consider choosing online speech therapy for kids with Linguabilities. With online therapy, your child can do their therapy sessions right from the comfort of home. They can sit in their favorite chair, bring along a favorite stuffed animal, and have anything else they need in order to feel at ease.
For school-age children, one of the many benefits of doing speech therapy at home is that there’s no need to single out your child for lessons during the school day. Classmates will not know that your child is receiving special lessons, which can have a stigma. Speech therapy lessons also won’t interrupt your child’s normal day of school, helping them to be as successful as possible.
