Liri Care

Knowing that your child has a language disorder can be overwhelming. These tips on finding the right speech therapist will help you help your child.

Talking to your child's doctor is a good first step. He or she should be able to refer you to one or more speech therapists. A speech therapist should have the initials "SLP" for "Speech Pathologist" after his name.

Children under the age of three can qualify for early intervention through a local government-funded program that provides the services they need, including speech therapy. Children over the age of three can qualify for services through their school district.

You can also find a speech therapist at a nearby private clinic or children's hospital, or search for a speech therapist near you on Healthgrades.com. Before you decide on the best professional for your child, consider the following.

1. Find the right training and experience.
Choose an American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA) certified speech therapist. This certification means that the therapist has completed an accredited program. Certified speech therapists have passed a national exam. They also completed a one-year clinical fellowship. ASHA offers an online directory of certified speech therapists.

Speech therapists specialize in certain areas. So, ask candidates if they have the specific experience your child needs. The right therapist for your child will have a thorough understanding of your child's specific language disorder. You should also have completed courses, workshops, and seminars on this condition. This helps ensure that the therapist is aware of the most effective therapies.

It's a good idea to ask speech therapists how much experience they have with children. Ask prospective therapists how much of their case burden includes children similar to yours. This could help you become more comfortable with your decision.

2. Think about your approach to treatment.

There are many different types of language problems. Treatment for one condition may be different than for another. The speech therapist you choose should be able to describe your approach to treating your child's problem and explain how you would like to monitor your child's progress.

It is important to work with your child's speech therapist. Children can benefit from this team approach. Your child's therapist will only have a limited amount of time with your child. Parents and caregivers can help implement treatment strategies throughout the day. A good therapist will involve you in caring for your child.

3. Note the therapist's "bedside posture" with the children.

Speech therapists who work with children should be able to calm them down. Your child should feel comfortable during speech therapy for kids. Children who are not relaxed have difficulty studying. The best way to make sure your child is not stressed is to find a therapist who interacts well with children.

Child-friendly speech therapists:

Ask the children what interests them
Walk on the floor with the children during the sessions.
Help children have fun during treatment

4. Take into account the ease of planning and keeping deadlines.

Once you've narrowed your search, ask a potential speech therapist specific questions that will help determine if they are right for your child. Make sure the therapist is available at times that suit your schedule. It's also a good idea to seek recommendations from potential speech therapists. You should be able to speak to other parents of children who have tried to get their feedback.