The speech therapy process begins with our speech therapists, but for maximum effectiveness, it needs continual reinforcement outside of the child’s speech therapy session. Some find it to be a distraction and choose not to allow others to participate in the actual therapy sessions, but we see that has a huge missed opportunity. At Lil’ Chit-Chat, we see family involvement as vital to a child’s progress when it comes to their speech therapy goals, and we welcome families into all speech therapy sessions.
There are many great reasons to include family members and caregivers in speech therapy sessions. Here are a few:
A Better Understanding of the Challenges Faced by Their Child
Every child we see for pediatric speech therapy in Menifee has his or her own set of unique challenges, and it is important for family members to understand fully what those challenges are. So often, those closest to the child become accustomed to their way of speaking and no longer “hear” what needs improvement. By sitting in on speech therapy sessions, family members get a better understanding of what their child needs to work on and how their challenges are best addressed.
A Better Level of Comfort with the Therapy
The speech therapy process begins with our Licensed Speech Pathologists, but for maximum effectiveness, it needs continual reinforcement outside of the child’s speech therapy session. After all, a child will spend far more time not in therapy during the week, but with their family. When family members and caregivers actually see for themselves the activities and techniques used by our Menifee speech therapists, they are more comfortable duplicating them at home. And when family members are comfortable with the therapy strategies, they are more likely to utilize them and will feel more confident doing so.
Family Members Receive Training as Their Child Receives Therapy
During the pediatric speech therapy session, we are able to explain to family members and caregivers what we are doing and why. We know that the unknown can be scary, especially when it comes to a child with special needs or delays, so we are very intentional about explaining what we are doing, what purpose it serves, and how they can help their child continue to progress toward their speech therapy goals in between sessions.
At the end of every speech therapy session, we spend time with parents or caregivers discussing their child’s “homework” that should be worked on in between sessions. Whether the child is working on learning their first words, articulation, or auditory processing, there are so many opportunities to work on their goals in everyday life, and the speech therapists at Lil’ Chit-Chat in Menifee take great care in guiding parents through them.
If you are looking for speech therapy in Menifee or the Temecula Valley area that recognizes the importance of working alongside families to promote speech and language development in children, contact Lil’ Chit-Chat today! We are one of the only pediatric speech therapy clinics in Menifee that will come to your home and involve you in the entire process. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have about speech therapy for your child, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!
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