What exactly is a speech pathologist, or speech therapist, and how can they help your child?

Speech therapists work with their pupils to correct a variety of speech and language disorders, from lisps to stutters. They also help to improve the connection between verbal and nonverbal communication, so your child can learn to recognize body language and facial cues. Working with a speech therapist can greatly improve your child’s confidence, as improved communication can make them feel more included in the world around them.

As you search for the perfect speech therapist for your child, having in mind our list of ten questions to ask your speech pathologist can help you make an informed decision.

“What is my child’s prognosis based on the initial evaluation?”

You know that your child has one or more difficulties with speech and communication, but what is the exact nature of the concern? How long will your child need to work with the speech therapist to correct disorders and improve overall communication?

After the speech therapist evaluates your child, they’ll have an idea of where the difficulty is, and they’ll begin brainstorming teaching tools to help correct the disorder.

“What are your credentials?”

Don’t hesitate to ask your speech therapist about their background. Where did they get their degree? To become a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP), one must complete at least a master’s degree.

Look at the letters after your speech therapist’s name. They should include “MA, CCC-SLP” or “MS, CCC-SLP.” These letters mean they have a master’s degree in either arts or sciences, and they received their Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA (the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association).

If the credentials read “MA, CF-SLP” or “MS, CF-SLP,” that means they’ve just recently completed graduate school and are new to clinical practice. “CF” stands for “Clinical Fellowship” and means that their first year of practice is being monitored.

“What are some realistic goals for speech therapy?”

While seasoned speech therapists have plenty of experience in correcting speech delays and disorders, they may not have your child reading Shakespeare by week four. Your speech therapist can help you understand your child’s development level and help set realistic goals based on their learning speed and style.

Setting overly lofty goals from the get-go can lead to frustration down the line for both you and your child. Speech therapy isn’t an instant communication cure-all; it takes time, dedication, and hard work.

“What types of teaching tools and treatments will my child need?”

Depending on the nature of your child’s speech difficulty, the therapist will use a variety of teaching tools and modalities to correct the problem. With virtual speech therapy, the therapist may play interactive games with your child to focus on different sounds. In between sessions, your child may be assigned “homework” to practice making the correct sounds.

“How much experience do you have with this particular speech disorder?”

What sort of difficulty is your child having with speech or communication? Perhaps they’re dealing with a language delay, a developmental stutter, or difficulties making certain sounds.

Ask your speech therapist about their background in treating speech and language disorders similar to your child’s. They’ll have valuable experience to draw from when working with your young one.

“What can I do between sessions to support my child?”

As mentioned earlier, your child’s speech therapist will likely assign them “homework” in between sessions. It may come in the form of worksheets or sets of exercises to encourage them to practice their speech.

Linguabilities uses a virtual therapy platform called Zoom along with educational games, videos, and activities that therapists can share for home practice. You can be a great ally to your child by asking the speech therapist about the teaching tools and techniques they’re using, knowing what sort of lessons your child’s taking, and encouraging your child to practice at home every day!

“How long will my child need to be in speech therapy?”

In many cases, once the speech therapist has evaluated your child, they’ll be able to estimate how long therapy will last. That estimate is not set in stone and can change depending on a variety of factors during treatment, but they will give you updates if therapy needs to last longer.

As your child makes progress in speech therapy, stay in contact with the therapist and ask if there are any benchmarks your child must meet to stay on track. When you and your child’s speech therapist develop a working relationship, both of you can support your child more effectively.

“What forms of payment do you accept?”

Some speech-language pathologists do accept payments from your health insurance company. However, Linguabilities is not currently able to accept health insurance payments for remote speech therapy. However, there are other ways to pay for speech therapy—and they’re worth it!

The speech pathologists at Linguabilities do accept payments from flexible spending accounts, or FSAs, connected to health insurance policies. You can also ask your therapist for a Superbill, which is a receipt of services that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. Finally, don’t forget about some of the grants and scholarships available to families receiving therapy!

“Can I contact you outside of my child’s therapy sessions?”

Ask your child’s speech therapist about their policies for discussing treatment outside of sessions. They may have a number you can call to leave a voicemail, or a secure messaging system that’s similar to email or texting.

If your child experiences frustration or difficulty in completing their therapy assignments between sessions, reach out to their speech therapist. Consistent communication is key to success.

“What happens when my child finishes their therapy?”

When your child reaches the end of their speech therapy journey, they’ll still have to practice the speech and communication skills they learned with their therapist. Inquire about any resources the therapist may have to help you continue supporting your child after therapy is done.

Hang on to any worksheets and other homework assignments your child completed during therapy so you can use them as references for continued practice.

Speech therapy can be one of the greatest gifts you give your child. During the course of treatment, they’ll learn how to form the correct sounds, stop stutters before they start, and read nonverbal communication cues. Becoming a better communicator will boost your child’s self-esteem and encourage them to make connections with other people wherever they go.

At the beginning of the speech therapy journey, you should ask your speech pathologist these ten questions to better understand the process. The speech therapist will provide valuable answers and assist you in supporting and encouraging your child.