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.
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.
The proposed approach to therapy should be one that has been proven through years of research. It may be helpful to talk to some other parents whose children have worked with this particular therapist. Parents should involved in the treatment program, continually kept abreast of their toddler's progress, and feel free to share their concerns at any time.
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.
Speech therapy is an ongoing process that doesn't end the minute the child leaves the therapist's office. There are many things parents can do at home to stimulate the use of speech and practice what the child has learned. Sharing books together and actively involving the toddler in naming pictures he or she recognizes can be helpful, as can purposefully using words to descriptively "narrate" what one is doing, sees, and feels each day.
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.
The proposed approach to therapy should be one that has been proven through years of research. It may be helpful to talk to some other parents whose children have worked with this particular therapist. Parents should involved in the treatment program, continually kept abreast of their toddler's progress, and feel free to share their concerns at any time.
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.
Speech therapy is an ongoing process that doesn't end the minute the child leaves the therapist's office. There are many things parents can do at home to stimulate the use of speech and practice what the child has learned. Sharing books together and actively involving the toddler in naming pictures he or she recognizes can be helpful, as can purposefully using words to descriptively "narrate" what one is doing, sees, and feels each day.
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