My Child’s Experience With Speech Therapy: A Parent Perspective (Jessica, Part 2)

Welcome to Parent Perspectives, an occasional series. This is an interview series featuring parent perspectives on speech therapy. I asked questions, and parents answered with honesty about their perspectives. My Child’s Experience With Speech Therapy: A Parent Perspective Part 2 is an interview with Jessica, who has a son who was a late talker and started speech therapy when he was two years old.

Some housekeeping: I do not interview my clients for this series. Instead, I find community members who are willing to talk about their experience. I do change the names of children and parents so that both can remain anonymous if they’d like. This interview has been lightly edited for flow and clarity.

My Child’s Experience With Speech Therapy: A Parent Perspective (Jessica, Part 2)

Today’s story is about Jessica and her son Michael. Jessica first had concerns about Michael when he was 18 months old. At that time, her doctor told her to wait and see if his language developed. Six months later, she returned to her doctor’s office to again voice her concerns. At that time, she received a referral for speech therapy.

Michael’s first speech therapy session was an evaluation. After that, the speech language pathologist (SLP) also shared that early intervention is effective and it was good they were catching this at a young age. After the evaluation, Jessica and Michael were ready to start speech therapy. However, they waited (and waited…) on a long waiting list for speech therapy treatment. At that time, Jessica began contacting area early intervention services (through her county). Jessica hoped those services would have a shorter waiting list. For more information on their story, check out Part 1 of this series in the previous post.

Let’s get back to the interview!

Tell me more about Michael. What was he working on in speech therapy? Do you feel like he made progress in that area?

Before speech therapy, Michael wasn’t talking. He would point, whine, or cry to get what he wanted. He was shy and quiet. Many people (friends, relatives) said he was most likely just a shy kid.

I knew better. I kept making noise when I went to the doctor until we got someone to listen. Once we were off the waiting list and got services, my son enjoyed the sessions.

Michael liked playing games with the SLP. Through their play, he learned many new skills. He learned how to understand directions, pronouns, new vocabulary, sequencing, and using complete sentences.

Michael made great progress in speech. When we first went, he was saying only a few words. We saw his vocabulary increase after he started his sessions. He also showed us things at home he had learned in speech therapy. For example, he started to use more complete sentences to ask for things. Also, he sometimes corrected himself when he used the wrong pronoun. I’m very thankful that my child’s experience with speech therapy was such a positive one.

What did a typical speech therapy session look like for Michael?

First, the SLP showed Michael a visual schedule. This showed pictures of what they would do together that day. This helped him a lot! They would go through the list and when he finished an activity, he got to take that picture off the schedule.

Michael played games with the SLP to work on pronouns. They worked on “my turn” and “your turn.” The games also helped with his other speech therapy goals.

Then, they would have some free play time. They would work on imaginary play and using complete sentences and asking for items.

Did the activities change as Michael started talking more?

Yes. As Michael started talking more, they started adding in more advanced activities. Michael would complete sequence and puzzle cards. This would work on pronouns like he/she and also before/after and first/last.

After every session, we would chat with the SLP about how things were going at home. I could bring up any problems we were having at home, and get suggestions. We also got pointers on activities we could do at home to help with Michael’s communication goals. From a parent perspective, speech therapy helped Michael, but it helped me too. I could always ask questions and find out what to do at home to help Michael.

Are you still in speech therapy now? If so, where do you get service? If not, why not?

Yes and no.  Now that my son has started kindergarten he sees the SLP at his school every week.  We haven’t been going to private sessions anymore, for a long list of reasons. Our private practice SLP left the clinic and the clinic never called us to reschedule. We could have called, but got busy with summer activities. Lots of excuses. We do need to schedule more appointments for him, and will follow up with that this Fall.

What did you like (or not like) about SLPs you’ve worked with? What do you think makes a good SLP?

We loved our first private practice SLP. She got along well with Michael. The SLP was nice and knew how to interact with kids like him. Our SLP also made speech therapy fun by having lots of games and fun playtime worked into the schedule. One thing that was really helpful was giving Michael lots of choices on the activities they did.

She would ask what activities Michael wanted to do and give him a few choices. They played with puzzles, books, play dough, cars, and other games. This helped Michael feel more in control and be happier by the end of the appointment.

When our SLP was on maternity leave, we had a substitute SLP. We didn’t like her at all. She had a list from our SLP about what to do, but she wasn’t as nice and didn’t work as well with my son. She had trouble getting Michael to pay attention. I could tell she was getting frustrated with Michael because of this. Our previous SLP was patient and kind. If Michael’s attention span was short, she would switch to another activity. Also, our regular SLP was encouraging and kept things positive. She was wonderful and I miss her!

What would you tell another parent who was considering speech therapy for their child?

Definitely do it!  The earlier you get help the better.

People might tell you stories of kids they know. Kids who went from saying nothing to speaking sentences. People will tell you to be patient. But being in denial doesn’t help. If something magical happens, and your child begins talking overnight, great. But wouldn’t it be better to get help in the meantime?

It may be hard to hear how far behind your child is. But you will be so happy to see them improving before your eyes when an SLP works with them.

Did your feelings about speech therapy change as you started regularly attending sessions with Michael?

At first, I felt scared, worried and stressed about Michael’s communication difficulties. As soon as we began speech therapy, I saw an improvement. I started to feel better and not feel stressed about Michael’s communication. It made a big difference. I recommend seeking help from an SLP if you suspect a delay in your child’s communication. You know your child better than anyone. Do not hesitate to get an appointment if you think your child may need help.

Anything else you’d like to add? What would you say to a parent thinking about making the leap to calling a speech therapy clinic?

At first, I felt embarrassed that Michael had difficulty communicating. I felt like maybe my kid wasn’t “normal” or that I had to hide that there might be something wrong with him. However, I’ve found there are a lot more kids than you think who need speech therapy. It’s quite common! Don’t feel ashamed. Feel empowered because you are getting your child the help they need. It makes a big difference. Don’t hesitate to call an SLP and get help as soon as you notice a problem.

Thank you, Jessica for your interview! I learned so much from your story and your perspectives.  Although I’ve read through your interview many times, every time I learn something new. Thank you for the amount of time and thought you put into our interview. All the best for you and Michael as your journey continues. 

My Child’s Experience With Speech Therapy: A Parent Perspective (Jessica, Part 1)

Welcome to Parent Perspectives, an occasional series. In this interview series, I asked parents about their child’s experience in speech therapy. I asked the questions, and parents answered with honesty about their perspectives. My Child’s Experience With Speech Therapy: A Parent Perspective Part 1 is a fascinating read about Jessica’s experience with speech therapy for her son, who was a late talker.

Some housekeeping: I do not interview my own clients for this series. Instead, I find community members who are willing to talk about their experience. I do change the names of children and parents so that both can remain anonymous if they’d like.

I hope this series will be a chance for you to grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and join in on our conversation. This conversation was lightly edited for flow and clarity.

My Child’s Experience With Speech Therapy: A Parent Perspective (Jessica, Part 1)

First up is Jessica. Her son Michael has been attending speech therapy since he was a toddler. Jessica generously donated her time to talk to me. I loved her honest and insightful answers. Jessica let me know how she was feeling (nervous, optimistic) as she sought help for her son. Jessica also shared what her first speech therapy appointment was like, and how she found her SLP.

When did you realize your child first needed a speech language pathologist (SLP)?

We suspected Michael might need an SLP when he was 18 months old. He still wasn’t saying any words, so we thought he might just be a late talker. Also, we had heard boys are more often late talkers.

At that time, we talked to Michael’s doctor about our concerns. She wasn’t worried about Michael and asked us to check back at his 2 year visit.

At Michael’s 2 year visit, he still wasn’t talking. At that time, we finally got a referral for an evaluation with an SLP.

How did you find your SLP?

Our insurance provided us a list of clinic locations that accepted our insurance. We chose the closest clinic to our home.

What were your thoughts and feelings around the first speech therapy appointment?

Nervous. Optimistic. Also, eager to hear what the SLP would say. Going into the appointment, I had no idea what speech therapy would look like. Even so, I had high hopes they would be able to help Michael finally start talking.

Tell me about your first speech therapy appointment.

Our first appointment was for testing. After that, we could see where Michael’s communication skills were. After that appointment, we also found out if he would qualify for speech therapy.

I was nervous to see the results of the testing. I worried that maybe he would never talk! The SLP said Michael did need speech therapy. She also shared how effective early intervention was for speech therapy. She told us because he was young, he had a lot of time to catch up and that speech therapy could help.

Michael is usually very shy, but felt comfortable early on with the SLP. For the most part, he did a good job playing with her and showing her what he did and didn’t know. My child’s experience with speech therapy was a very positive one, so that felt good.

The appointment itself went well. However, after the evaluation we got put on a waiting list for speech therapy. When that happened, I felt frustrated. I’d just learned how important it was to attend speech therapy, only to wait on a waiting list.

At this point, our doctor suggested we check out our county’s early intervention program. These services are free for young children that qualify. We decided to do this while we were on the waiting list for speech therapy through our insurance.

Resources for Parents

If you want more information about the early intervention program Jessica mentioned, and your child is age birth-5, you can find out information about Jackson County’s Program here. If you live outside of Jackson County, look for early intervention programs in your area. These are usually provided either through the county or an Educational Service District (ESD).

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Jessica. If you like this post, be sure to read the second part of this interview. Jessica shares more about her thoughts on speech therapy. She also describes what makes a great SLP. She’ll also share updates on Michael, who now attends Kindergarten. The story continues! 

A Puzzle Communication Routine For Late Talkers

If your child is a late talker, chances are you’ve heard your speech language pathologist (SLP) talk about communication routines. Even if you haven’t heard the phrase, it’s very likely communication routines are something you already do at home with your child. These routines can be anything you do (getting dressed, eating breakfast, playing with toys) where you focus on building your child’s communication. A communication routine is a play routine (or functional daily activity routine) used to build communication skills. Communication routines are an essential practice component in speech therapy and at home. In today’s post, you’ll learn a detailed puzzle communication routine for late talkers.

What is a Communication Routine?

Chances are, you might feel like adding extra routines to your day would be difficult. As a parent, you’ve got a lot going on. So, instead of adding an extra routine into your day, why not add a communication element into an activity you already do?

A communication routine can be any routine you already do. By adding a communication element into that routine, you’ve got a communication routine.

Does your child need help zipping his or her coat before you leave?

Pause, and wait expectantly for a gesture or word approximation.

Do you have breakfast with your child? 

Make comments on what you are eating, and label objects.

For today, let’s pick a simple communication routine you can use at home. Chances are, you have some puzzles lying around. Right now, most of my younger clients love puzzles. First, I’ll walk you through what you can do to recreate this play routine at home. Second, I’ll discuss strategies you can use to model language during this activity.

*Do* Try This At Home

I encourage you to try this routine at home. Yet, I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention my professional caveat first. If your child is a late talker, you should see a speech language pathologist (SLP). An SLP can provide an evaluation and work on skills targeted just for your child. Also, an SLP can design specific home routines to use to help your child build his or her communication.

As SLPs, we are here to support you as the parent. We are experts in our field, and you are an expert when it comes to your child. Let’s put our heads together and come up with a great communication plan for your child!

Most important, we are here to team up with you to help your child communicate. I would encourage you to contact an SLP, especially when you have access to someone who can help.

A Puzzle Communication Routine For Late Talkers

1. Introduce the Puzzle

If you are doing this at home, chances are your child already is familiar with the puzzle. Themed puzzles (farm life, ocean life, transportation) are among my favorites.

Start with the puzzle completed. Follow your child’s lead. For example, if you are completing an animal puzzle, you may make animal sounds or label the animals using short phrases.

2. Remove the Puzzle Pieces and Play

Next, I remove the puzzle pieces and we play. If the puzzle has farm animals, we may have the animals walk, eat, drink or go to sleep. This routine can be quick. Most important, it should follow your child’s interest level and attention span.

3. Put the Puzzle Together

Put the puzzle pieces in!

This is where my graduate school mentor’s voice rings in my mind: control your materials. 

If your child grabs the puzzle pieces and puts them in on his or her own, is that communication? Not so much. You need to be a part of this routine. After all, it takes two people to communicate. If you control the materials, you can offer choices (another communication strategy). You can do this by holding up two puzzle pieces and waiting for your child to choose.

How to control your materials? It depends on the child. Sometimes, I just put the pieces in a pile next to me and hold up two at the same time. I offer the child a choice of which on he or she would like first. And remember, all communication is good communication. If a child points or gestures, they get the puzzle piece.

What about controlling materials for children who are more active? I’ve learned to put the pieces in a container that my client would have a hard time opening. One example is to put the puzzle pieces in a clear, zipped plastic bag. Another idea is to put the pieces in a clear plastic container with a snap lid. When I do this, I look in the bag (or bin) and see which items my client would like out of the container. I wait for communication (a point, a look, or a word approximation), and then bring out the puzzle piece my client wants.

Remember, this isn’t about hogging the materials. Instead, it is about presenting the materials in a way that encourages communication.

4. Clean Up

Clean up is an important part of a communication routine. This signals the completion of an activity. In addition, it provides a transition for children who need a signal that a new activity will begin. Also, clean up signals shared responsibility for the toys and the routine.

Some parents use a clean up song. Another idea is to talk about the puzzle needing a rest and putting it away. However you end your routine, remember the purpose is to provide a transition for your child.

Do I Need to Buy More Toys?

I want to address this question, since it is one I get fairly regularly.

Is the toy you are playing with important? Do you need to go out and buy more stuff? The answer here is a resounding no. The most important thing in a play routine isn’t a “thing” – it’s you! Since the toy isn’t important, remember you can use anything for a toy in your routine. A tissue? Washcloth? Blanket? Pots and pans? I’ve seen all these objects used in excellent communication routines.

A Few Strategies

I hope this post has demystified communication routines. I also hope this post has encouraged you, because I bet you already have quite a few communication routines under your belt. These routines are simple. These routines are based on activities that you already do as a family.

Even though the routines are simple, the cueing is not. As the adults in a play routine, our work is far from easy. The communication strategies you use are the most important part of the routine. That is a lot of responsibility! But instead of feeling overwhelmed, I hope this encourages you in your important role.

Thankfully, there are three simple steps to encourage communication in play. First, follow your child’s lead. Second, wait to see what garners you child’s interest. Third, listen to your child and comment on what holds their interest. By letting your child take the lead, you are encouraging their initiation in communication.

Remember, there are many play strategies to use. There are many cueing strategies to use. For now, let’s keep it simple. If you start with the steps above, you’ll be right where you need to be to get started.

Suggested Reading: Late Talkers Series

If you’d like to know more about late talkers, check out my previous posts. There you can find out more, with posts on:

• goal suggestions for late talkers

• does my child need a speech and language evaluation?

• how can I help my child who is a late talker at home?

Are you looking for a speech language pathologist to help your child communicate? If your child is a late talker and you live in the Rogue Valley, this clinic specializes in working with children ages 0-5, especially late talkers!

Links 2: Links for Parents and Educators

Welcome to Links 2: Articles to Read For Parents and Educators, an occasional series. These posts highlight articles focusing on parenting, education, and disabilities. I also include any other general articles helpful to parents and professionals working with children, and this is our second post in the series.

This month, you’ll learn how a barber shop is encouraging reading, about a mental health crisis in our school system, and why using filler words might not be so bad after all.

Read on for the links!

1. Choose A Book And Read To Your Barber, He’ll Take A Little Money Off The Top

This was my favorite article of the week! In real life, it can sometimes be hard to find a win-win situation. Well, this barber shop (located near Ann Arbor, Michigan) found an excellent win-win. If children read a book to their barber while getting a haircut, they’ll get $2 off their cut.

The barber shop (called Fuller Cut) has a variety of books to choose from. Children can pick a book and read it aloud while they get their hair cut. Just as important, your barber will quiz you on the book you read. After all, they want to know you understand what you are reading!

You can find the article here. 

2. Mental Health In Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions Of Students

One in five kids in the US shows signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder. The author calls this a silent epidemic.

This article describes the jobs of the school employees we assume will help these children. After describing what these employees are expected to do, the article describes the reality of their position. Unfortunately, the reality is pretty harsh. By the end of the article, you realize we assume supports are in place that just aren’t. 

For example, we may assume the role of the school principal could be responsible for helping kids with behavior and mental health challenges. Wouldn’t that be a big part of their job? The reality is “principals also have a lot on their plates: the day-to-day management of student behavior, school culture and teacher support.” This article details many more roles, including some sobering reality on our expectations of these roles versus the reality of these positions.

Ultimately, who should help students struggling with mental health? We all should. Are the supports in place? Probably not.

This is a topic near and dear to my heart. I have worked in schools or contracted with schools for nearly a decade. I can say from experience, the need is real. Let’s get some support for these students, stat.

3. Filler Words Like “Um” Aren’t All Bad, and Can Be Used to Your Advantage

This week, I’ve been sharing this article with teachers I know.

Turns out, filler words (um, like, I mean) can make you seem more conscientious. Also, filler words add space in the conversation, which can help with listener recall. By using filler words, you are helping the person you are talking to process what you say.

Of course, saying “um” and “uh” a lot may not help you seem any smarter. Experts suggest using words like “I mean” or just pausing if you need some filler.

So, go forth! And… um… (I mean…) start using those filler words with impunity!

 I hope you enjoyed this month’s recommended reads. I’ve been sharing story 1. with colleagues this week. Also, I had a long discussion with some teachers this week who agreed with article 3. and others who didn’t.

Find A Quality SLP: Three Places To Look

Are you looking for a speech language pathologist (SLP) for your loved one? 

Are you interested in speech therapy, but looking for a place to start? 

If you know you want to find an SLP but aren’t sure where to look, this article will give you some clarity. Whether you live in a small town or a big city, there are usually three main places to look for an SLP. SLPs in these settings are usually knowledgeable are ready to help. So, let’s get started!

Find A Quality SLP: Three Places To Look

There are several places you can look to find a quality Speech Language Pathologist (SLP). Thankfully, most communities have several options of places to receive service. Whether you are considering a school, hospital, or private clinic, you are likely to find a knowledgeable SLP. This article will describe three places you might find an SLP, and some pros and cons of each setting. As you read the article, I hope you gain ideas on where to find an SLP for your loved one.

 1 | Speech Therapy in the School Setting

If a client is between the ages of birth-21, they may qualify for public services. Infants and toddlers may receive services from early intervention. Early Intervention (EI) provides services for infants to children to age three. Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) provides services from age three to Kindergarten. If a client is school age (in grades K-12), schools provide speech and language services for children who qualify.

One benefit to this setting is services are free. However, it can be hard to qualify for services. In order to get these services, a child needs to have a speech disability. There are many children with speech and language delays who do not qualify for service in this setting. Those families often go to other settings to receive speech therapy.

If you live in Jackson County, you can find more information on EI/ECSE services here.

If you want to access school-age services, contact the SLP at your child’s school. If your child attends homeschool, you can contact the SLP at your school of residence. If you attend a private or charter school, talk to staff there about how to access SLP services.

 2 | Speech Therapy in an Outpatient Hospital Setting

Hospitals often have speech and language clinics. These clinics often serve both adults and children. When contacting the hospital, ask for outpatient speech therapy. Inpatient services are for patients who are checked in to the hospital. Outpatient services are for patients who want to come in to the hospital for a specific service (like speech therapy) but otherwise aren’t staying there.

Outpatient speech therapy can be a great fit for many families. There are often several SLPs at each clinic. This provides benefits to families including flexibility in scheduling and choosing a clinician. If there are several SLPs to choose from, it is more likely they can accommodate your schedule for clinic visits. An additional benefit of multiple clinicians is finding an SLP that is a good fit for you.

Also, this setting is a great fit for clients who have Medicare or Medicaid. In general, smaller clinics accept fewer insurance plans. Larger clinics (like hospitals) often accept all (or nearly all) insurance plans. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, this setting may be your best bet.

 3 | Speech Therapy in Private Practice Clinics

This probably goes without saying, but this is one of my favorite options. In fact, I like this option so much I decided to start my own private practice clinic!

There are a few specific reasons why I recommend private practice. First, this can be a good choice for clients looking for smaller, more personable service. Second, this is a good way to get  find someone with specific expertise. Of course, school and hospital SLPs are just as qualified as private practice SLPs. However, I’ve found it easiest to find SLPs who specialize in specific areas by going this route.

Private practice clinics (and clinicians) often specialize. That means they have training and experience in a specific area (or several areas). For example, some SLPs specialize in using technology to help nonverbal clients communicate. In addition, some SLPs specialize in early intervention autism. If you are looking for an SLP with specific specialties, this setting is an excellent choice. The best way to find out these specialty areas is to look on the clinic’s website. Also, feel free to call a clinic if you want more information about a clinician’s expertise.

If you have Medicare or Medicaid, be aware some private practice clinics do not accept these insurances. Make sure to call and check first.

Find A Quality SLP: Other Factors

In conclusion, there are many ways to find a high-quality SLP. Schools, hospitals, and private clinics provide services to a variety of clients. Consider your own priorities and preferences when determining which setting to choose. Also, keep in mind your insurance may be a big factor in where you choose to seek service. Ultimately, there are many excellent SLPs in your community. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of taking that first step and reaching out.

If you live in the Rogue Valley and are looking for an SLP, my clinic focuses on building communication skills for the birth-5 population.