Seeing your child struggle with communication can be very challenging. Once you decide to begin speech therapy, you probably want to know how long it will take to notice improvements in your child's communication abilities.
Let's discuss factors that aid progress and those that may hinder progress in speech therapy.
Attendance
Ensuring regular attendance at the recommended speech therapy sessions is likely the most crucial element in determining your child's progress in therapy. Missing sessions or arriving late can adversely affect results. Thus, it is essential to commit to attending sessions consistently and punctually. We recognize that life can be unpredictable and occasional absences are unavoidable and everyone needs a vacation sometimes, but striving for at least an 80% attendance rate is vital for achieving positive outcomes.
Parent/Caregiver Involvement
When family members support speech therapy, we observe improved results. Parents are encouraged to watch sessions and actively participate when suitable. Occasionally, children perform better without their parents present. That's perfectly fine! There are numerous ways for parents to stay involved, such as the therapist recording video clips to share after the session or arranging a meeting to discuss home practice strategies.
Practicing at Home
The days are already busy and full, and now your child's speech therapist is asking you to do homework as well?! We understand it can be overwhelming to add another task to your already packed schedule, but we assure you that practicing at home the skills learned in speech therapy will lead to quicker and more effective progress. If you can't manage to practice at home at the moment, don't worry. Your child will still make progress, but it will take a bit longer—and that's perfectly fine! If you're finding it difficult to get your child involved in home practice, consider discussing with your speech therapist how to make home practice enjoyable and motivating for your child. Not everyone is interested in doing worksheets. The good news is there are numerous ways to incorporate speech practice into your daily activities.
Behavior and Motivation
Sometimes, kids react negatively when faced with doing something difficult for them. In speech therapy, we are asking kids to work on improving their communication which is currently hard to do. So, sometimes kids will respond with behaviors that impede progress such as shutting down in sessions or my personal favorite, hiding under the table. When this happens, we need to scale back and work on building up a growth mindset. When a child responds negatively to something, they're communicating to us that they aren't ready for that yet. We need to meet them where they are at.
The journey to improving your child’s communication skills through speech therapy can be a gradual process, influenced by various factors. Regular attendance at sessions, active parent involvement, and consistent practice at home play pivotal roles in accelerating progress. While challenges such as motivation and behavior are natural, with patience, support, and understanding, positive outcomes are achievable. Remember, every child progresses at their own pace, and it’s important to celebrate even the small victories along the way. With dedication from both you and your child, improvements in communication skills will unfold over time, helping your child thrive in their own unique way.
Are you ready to help your child become a better communicator? At Resolute Therapy Collaborative, there's no need to wonder if your child is improving-- you'll see the progress firsthand! Contact us to get started!
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