Best Questions To Ask Your Child’s Speech Therapist
Speech therapists are amazing resources for families with questions or concerns about their child’s language development. Whether you’re going for a speech and language evaluation, or you're a seasoned speech therapy participant, there are some key questions you’ll want to discuss with your speech therapist!
The answers to these questions will help ensure that you have a positive experience and that you can support your little one with confidence at home.
Top 3 Questions For Your Speech Therapist:
1. What is your speciality or area of expertise? What experience or extra training do you have in treating my child’s particular diagnosis of difficulty?
When you're looking for a speech therapist to help your child learn to communicate, it's important to find one who specializes in the specific kind of help your child needs. Speech therapists learn about many different communication challenges, but some become experts in certain areas. These experts have extra training and experience in helping children with those particular difficulties.
Just like there are different kinds of doctors, there are different kinds of speech therapists. Some are generalists who know about many different communication challenges, while others are specialists who have more experience helping children with specific difficulties.
It's a good idea to ask if a speech therapist specializes in the kind of help your child needs. This way, you can make sure they have the right skills and experience to help your child. You can ask at an evaluation to work with a specialist who can provide the best care for your child. And, if you are already enrolled in speech therapy you can always ask to switch to a speech therapist who specializes in the area of your child’s need, especially if you aren’t seeing the progress you had hoped for.
2. How can I help my child's communication development at home and work towards the goals we set in speech therapy?
When you go for a speech and language evaluation or speech therapy, it's really important to ask your therapist how you can practice at home to help your child get better. You'll want to hear specific strategies or activities you can do, instead of general comments like "Be sure you're face to face".
You should be able to imagine yourself practicing at home with a plan and understand why the strategy or activity is helpful or important. Also, ask your therapist how often and for how long you should be practicing. If you're confused or have questions, don't be afraid to ask your therapist to practice during the appointment or to ask lots of questions until you're feeling confident.
The more specific homework tasks you get, the more confident you'll be in doing them and the more helpful they'll be for your little one. Learning how to practice at home will help you reach your goals faster!
3. Can I participate in my child’s speech therapy sessions?
Involving parents in speech therapy is crucial for success. As a parent, you can help speech therapists understand how your child is progressing at home, work together to prioritize goals, and incorporate therapy into your child's daily routine.
You spend much more time with your child than a speech therapist does during a 30-minute session, so your involvement can make a huge impact. You don't have to practice all the time, but short 10-15 minute intervals of practice once or a few times each day can have a tremendous effect on your child's progress.
If the speech therapist doesn't typically allow parents to attend sessions, ask to participate in all sessions. If they refuse, consider finding a different speech therapist. Parent involvement is critical to the success of speech therapy; you are a very important member of the speech therapy team!
Questions to ask at your child’s speech and language evaluation:
I’m sure there are tons of thoughts running through your mind as you prepare for your child’s speech and language evaluation. Be sure to ask Question #2 above (What can we do at home to support my child’s language development at home?), and these 3 questions!
1. Can you please explain my child's diagnosis and what it means for their speech and language development?
It's important to have a conversation with your speech therapist who can explain the diagnosis they're giving your child in a way that's easy to understand. This will help you understand what terms like “language disorder” or “speech disorder” actually mean for your child's unique development, rather than feeling overwhelmed by information from Doctor Google (about other children).
As a speech therapist, we use certain terms for diagnoses that insurance will pay for, but most of these terms may not sound friendly and can be anxiety-provoking for parents. We have a blog post that explains the word "disorder" in speech therapy, why it's used, and how to interpret it as a parent - it's worth reading!
It's also important to note that in the age of electronic medical records, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your child's diagnosis and treatment plan (you don’t want to feel shocked or surprised by something you read in the medical record later on!). Your speech therapist should explain both of these things to you, but if you missed anything, don't hesitate to ask. Keep asking questions until you feel comfortable and confident with the plan for your child.
2. How often will we need to come for speech therapy? And what does it cost?
Different speech therapy diagnoses require different levels of treatment, some may need more frequent in-person visits while others can be managed with home-based strategies. For instance, childhood apraxia of speech requires specialized interventions that require direct input from the speech therapist, whereas other diagnoses can be treated with strategies that parents and caregivers can easily implement at home.
It's important to understand how often your child needs to attend speech therapy sessions, not only to plan your schedule but also to plan financially. Check with your insurance provider if they cover speech therapy at your clinic and find out about co-payments. Calculate the cost per month of speech therapy, depending on how often your child needs to attend - once a week, or twice a week.
It's crucial that speech therapy is sustainable for your family, and if it becomes unaffordable, you can speak to the clinic. They may recommend programs in your area that help with co-payments based on your family's income.
Also, check with your insurance provider to see if there is a limit on the number of speech therapy sessions your child is eligible for in a calendar year. If there is, you can space out the sessions for continuous care throughout the year.
Lastly, if your child is 3 years or older, the school district is a wonderful free option for speech therapy. You don't need to enroll your child in preschool; they can attend just for speech therapy.
Being prepared for what’s to come can help ensure you have an overall positive experience.
3. Will my child have individual speech therapy, or will they be in a group with other children?
During the evaluation, the speech therapist will determine the type of speech therapy your child needs and will request insurance approval for either individual or group speech therapy. It's important to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each setting and how they can help your child achieve their goals.
Some diagnoses are effectively treated in group therapy, while others require more individualized attention. Your child's personality and scheduling availability can also influence the best therapy setting. Understanding these factors can help you and the speech therapist decide on the best approach.
Remember, being prepared and knowing what to expect is key! For more information on what to expect during speech therapy sessions with toddlers, check out our blog post.
Questions to during your child’s speech therapy sessions:
At every stage in the process, you’ll want to be sure to ask your speech therapist what specific activities you can do at home to practice your child’s speech and language skills. In addition to this key question, these are 4 other excellent questions to ask during your ongoing speech therapy sessions.
1. What are my child’s speech therapy goals?
When your child is in speech therapy, they will be working towards specific goals set by the speech therapist to help them improve their communication skills. These goals are submitted to insurance, and the speech therapist will monitor your child’s progress towards them to determine if they need to be adjusted or if your child is ready to graduate from speech therapy.
It’s important for the speech therapist to explain the goals they are working on and why they are important. As a parent, you should have a clear understanding of what your child will be working on in speech therapy, why these goals are important, and what the end goal is. It's also important for you to provide your input in the goal-making process to ensure that speech therapy is addressing your child's needs and your priorities as a parent.
Understanding the specific skills that the speech therapist is teaching your child in speech therapy can help you support their progress at home. The speech therapist may provide you with strategies and exercises to practice with your child between sessions. This can help your child achieve their goals more quickly and make speech therapy more effective overall.
2. Are there any strategies we can incorporate to enhance my child's communication today while we continue working towards our speech therapy goals?
Making progress in speech therapy can be a gradual process, but there are strategies you can implement to support your child's communication development along the way. These strategies focus on meeting your child at their current level and creating communication approaches that they can already use or easily learn.
One helpful strategy is using a picture communication board, which provides visual cues to aid in communication. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, here is a helpful video on YouTube that explains its benefits and usage.
Additionally, you may find another informative video that discusses 10 different ways to build communication skills for children who are not yet talking. This resource offers practical suggestions that can be incorporated into daily interactions with your child.
By utilizing these strategies, you can complement the progress made in speech therapy and enhance your child's communication skills effectively.
3. What are little signs of progress I can look for in my child’s communication development?
Recognizing the smaller milestones of progress in your child's speech therapy journey can be challenging, as they may not always be as noticeable as saying a new word. However, paying attention to these smaller wins is just as important. To help you acknowledge and celebrate your child's progress, consider asking your speech therapist about specific signs or mini-milestones to watch out for along the way. This way, you can stay positive and motivated, knowing that even the little steps are meaningful and contribute to your child's development.
4. What does speech therapy look like long term for my child?
As parents, it's natural to have concerns about your child's future, especially when it comes to their speech therapy journey. However, understanding what lies ahead in the next 3-6 months of speech therapy can be empowering. It helps you prepare for the next steps and maintain a positive mindset.
While there's no crystal ball to predict the exact duration of your child's speech therapy or when they will achieve their goals, you can inquire about their progress. Ask if they are nearing their speech therapy goals or if they are approaching the developmental milestones for their age. It's also important to discuss the plan in case progress slows down or pauses. Understanding when taking a break from therapy might be beneficial is another valuable aspect to explore.
Remember, these conversations are ongoing and aim to give you a sense of what to expect and plan for. Having a plan, even in challenging times, can provide comfort. Additionally, as your child approaches their 3rd birthday, it's helpful to discuss any changes such as transitioning to a new speech therapy clinic or moving to school-based speech therapy. Initiating these processes early can ensure a smooth transition for your child.
BONUS QUESTION:
1. Can you recommend any other resources in the community that would support our speech therapy goals?
Speech therapists are an excellent resource for discovering programs and activities tailored to toddlers in your area. They have a wealth of knowledge about free state programs, local community initiatives, and exciting events that can be both enjoyable and supportive for you and your little one. Exploring the community and connecting with other families can bring numerous benefits to your child's development.
By tapping into the expertise of speech therapists, you can uncover valuable information about resources and opportunities that promote your child's growth. They can guide you towards programs that align with your child's needs and interests, providing an enriching experience for both of you. So don't hesitate to reach out to your speech therapist for recommendations and discover the exciting possibilities available in your local community.
Download our key questions to ask your child’s speech therapist, so you can have the questions handy and print them off to take notes if you like!
Here are a few related questions parents often ask:
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There’s no “bad” question. You should ask your child’s speech therapist any questions you have; you deserve to have a strong understanding of what’s happening in your child’s speech therapy session.
You can also use the questions in this post as a guide!
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Speech therapy for toddlers is designed to be fun and play based. You can help you toddler prepare by learning what to expect in toddler speech therapy sessions and talking to your toddler about what you’re doing - “We’re going to go play with Miss _____ today! I can’t wait to have fun!”
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Like speech therapy sessions, speech and language evaluations are designed to be fun and toddler friendly. You can check out this article which explains exactly what you can expect throughout your child’s evaluation appointment.
If your child is really shy or slow to warm up to new people, it can sometimes be helpful to bring a toy from home. You can also call your speech therapists ahead of time to see what you might bring to support your little one.
Written By: Stephanie Keffer Hatleli, MS CCC-SLP
© 2020-2023. Stephanie Keffer, MS CCC-SLP. All Rights Reserved.
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