The ability to communicate and be understood is of utmost importance to children and adults alike. Most people’s primary method of communication is spoken language, but what happens when language is difficult to master? Unfortunately, when children can’t communicate effectively, barriers are built up between them and the world around them, making it difficult for them to develop meaningful relationships, figure out the world around them, and ultimately this can lead to frustration and low self-esteem.
Speech therapy is a therapeutic tool we use to break down those barriers and help children communicate more clearly. A speech therapist can help patients with the quality of their voice, their ability to create specific sounds with their mouth, the execution of language, and much more.
Who Can Benefit From Working With A Speech Therapist?
Speech therapy is beneficial for anyone struggling with communication, from language disorders to speech disorders, and it can also be beneficial for individuals who have trouble eating or swallowing. Communication disorders can develop in childhood or may result from a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or other nervous system conditions. We’ve treated a large range of patients, and we can help your family too.
Anyone who struggles to communicate effectively can benefit from working with one of our speech therapists. At AchieveAbility, we specialize in pediatric treatments and have found that our patients experience significant progress when their families are committed to their long-term success.
What Can You Expect From Treatment?
As a parent, sending your child to a therapist for the first time can be nerve-wracking. Below we’ve listed some common things you can expect from a session with your speech therapist in hopes of calming your anxieties.
It Will Be Fun
We won’t force your toddler to sit and stare at flashcards. Instead, we use fun games and activities to teach children to make new sounds and communicate new words.
Listening Is As Important As Speaking
Your child will learn how to hear the difference between language sounds. The first step to making a new sound with your mouth is hearing it with your ears.
You Will Be Given Tools
We want to work together with parents to help children communicate more successfully. So we provide you with tools you can use at home to keep up your child’s language practice between sessions.
We Can Help Children At All Levels Of Development
Children commonly struggle to make consonant sounds like “r” and “s.” Speech therapy can help those children, and it can also benefit children who struggle with processing language as much as they do making specific sounds. Many people are surprised to learn that speech therapists are also qualified to help children who have trouble swallowing age-appropriate food and drink.
What Are The Benefits?
Do you remember how frustrated your child would get as a toddler when you failed to understand what they were babbling about? Imagine how frustrating it would be as an older child or even an adult who couldn’t communicate. There are practical benefits of enabling children to navigate the world around them more easily. But there are also incredible emotional and developmental benefits, like increased self-esteem, that help them build relationships with other children and improve their quality of life.
At AchieveAbility, we believe strongly in creating a connection between what happens in therapy and what happens in the home. When parents and guardians are active participants in therapeutic practices, children learn more quickly and retain their new skills. But how do you know if your child needs speech therapy? We can help. Before your child begins treatment, they’ll be evaluated by a member of our team who will also recommend a course of action for you. If you suspect speech therapy would be beneficial for your family, contact our office.
