Knowing whether your child needs therapy and when to start can be difficult. If you are unsure, please call or email me. I will never pressure you to attend therapy but will aim to provide you with information and discuss your concerns. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
Is my child too young for therapy?
Early Intervention is best! When it comes to your child you are the professional and if you are concerned there is probably a good reason for it. While some young children may not be ready to start regular therapy sessions I can offer advice, strategies and review their progress to ensure that they do not fall behind in their speech and language development.
Family members say that I am overreacting. Should i be concerned?
You know your child best! Every child develops at a different rate and some family members may report that they were 'late talkers'. Bottom line is that we can't predict the future and while school may seem a long way off it is easier to address problems early on then wait until they become big problems.
What happens if I leave it? Will it improve with time?
Speech/Articulation - Yes some speech errors do resolve by themselves but there are a few that can persist into adulthood such as lisps and incorrect articulation of 'r' and 'th'. While some speech errors will resolve without therapy they can have a significant impact on other areas of development such as expressive language skills, social skills, literacy development and confidence in talking.
Language - some children may improve in their language skills without therapy but once a child is delayed in this area they tend to fall further and further behind in time. The further a child falls behind their peers the more difficult it is for them to 'catch up'.
Stuttering - stuttering is a common concern. If your child stutters for more than 6 months there are concerns that it may become an ongoing issue. If you have any concerns, early intervention is best.
How many sessions will my child need?
This varies greatly depending on the type and severity of your child's communication problem and how they respond to therapy. Within the first few sessions you should get an idea of how quickly your child is responding. If at any time you are concerned about their progress or for some reason are unable to continue therapy please speak with me so that we can discuss ideas to resolve any problems.
Do we need to do homework?
YES!! A half hour session a week or every fortnight is not enough and progress in therapy will be very slow. You need to carry out homework every day if possible. I try to keep homework fun and interactive. It is important that you and your child enjoy spending time together doing homework and that you make it a rewarding experience. Of course this may at times be a challenge and so I offer some strategies for doing homework. Click here to see ideas for Making Homework Fun.
Is there something wrong with my child?
No. 1 in 7 Australians has a communication problem. Many children experience speech and language delays and many overcome these problems in time and with the appropriate support.
Still not sure? Here are a few common reasons for seeking speech therapy.
Is my child too young for therapy?
Early Intervention is best! When it comes to your child you are the professional and if you are concerned there is probably a good reason for it. While some young children may not be ready to start regular therapy sessions I can offer advice, strategies and review their progress to ensure that they do not fall behind in their speech and language development.
Family members say that I am overreacting. Should i be concerned?
You know your child best! Every child develops at a different rate and some family members may report that they were 'late talkers'. Bottom line is that we can't predict the future and while school may seem a long way off it is easier to address problems early on then wait until they become big problems.
What happens if I leave it? Will it improve with time?
Speech/Articulation - Yes some speech errors do resolve by themselves but there are a few that can persist into adulthood such as lisps and incorrect articulation of 'r' and 'th'. While some speech errors will resolve without therapy they can have a significant impact on other areas of development such as expressive language skills, social skills, literacy development and confidence in talking.
Language - some children may improve in their language skills without therapy but once a child is delayed in this area they tend to fall further and further behind in time. The further a child falls behind their peers the more difficult it is for them to 'catch up'.
Stuttering - stuttering is a common concern. If your child stutters for more than 6 months there are concerns that it may become an ongoing issue. If you have any concerns, early intervention is best.
How many sessions will my child need?
This varies greatly depending on the type and severity of your child's communication problem and how they respond to therapy. Within the first few sessions you should get an idea of how quickly your child is responding. If at any time you are concerned about their progress or for some reason are unable to continue therapy please speak with me so that we can discuss ideas to resolve any problems.
Do we need to do homework?
YES!! A half hour session a week or every fortnight is not enough and progress in therapy will be very slow. You need to carry out homework every day if possible. I try to keep homework fun and interactive. It is important that you and your child enjoy spending time together doing homework and that you make it a rewarding experience. Of course this may at times be a challenge and so I offer some strategies for doing homework. Click here to see ideas for Making Homework Fun.
Is there something wrong with my child?
No. 1 in 7 Australians has a communication problem. Many children experience speech and language delays and many overcome these problems in time and with the appropriate support.
Still not sure? Here are a few common reasons for seeking speech therapy.
- Your child's speech is often unclear and they are getting frustrated when not understood.
- Your child has difficulty listening and maintaining attention.
- Your child has difficulty answering questions and following instructions.
- Your child has a lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain speech sounds.
- Your child has been stuttering for more than 6 months.
- Your child is 18 months and is not producing words.
- Your child is 2 years and has only a few single words and is not yet joining words together.
- Your child has difficulty interacting with other children and engaging in conversation.
- Your child has difficulty forming sentences.
- Your child has difficulty giving recounts and expressing ideas.