Pediatric Speech Therapy

What is Pediatric Speech Therapy?

Pediatric speech therapy is the assessment and treatment of communication problems for children under the age of eighteen. It is performed by Speech-Language Pathologists, also known as SLPs or speech therapists. It is a specific kind of therapy targeted toward children with disorders that are formally defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) as a “communication difficulty” that prevents effective communication in their daily life.

Pediatric speech therapy is used to improve communication using articulation therapy, language intervention activities, and other methods depending on the type of speech or disorder the child is suffering with.

Because this therapy is pediatric, treatment approaches can take place in school alongside other children with similar speech disorders, or in a more personal setting, one-on-one. The techniques and exercises differ on the specific type of disorder and the child’s natural development. The Speech-Language Pathologists can take several approaches, including playing games, reading books, and drawing.

 If you’re looking for pediatric speech therapy in New Jersey, we would like to connect with you to answer your initial questions and make sure you’re headed in the right direction.

 Who is it for?

 Pediatric speech therapy is suitable for anyone under 18 years of age with a speech disorder. Most speech disorders develop in childhood and it’s important to remember that anyone can be born with a speech disorder. Adults can develop speaking disorders as a result of brain trauma.

However, many speech and language disorders are assessed during childhood, and forms of pediatric speech therapy can be beneficial in enhancing their communication skills in a social or academic setting. Most children receive treatment in childhood or adolescence.

Several speech and language disorders can be treated with pediatric speech therapy, including but not limited to:

• Articulation disorders: The inability to properly form certain word sounds.
• Fluency disorders: When the flow, speed, and rhythm of speech are affected. This can include stuttering, cluttering, and repeating.
• Resonance disorders: When a child has trouble understanding and processing what others say.
• Cognitive communication disorders: Difficulty communication because of an injury. This can include memory issues, problem-solving, and difficulty speaking.

What can you expect?

Although the environment in which the therapy takes place for children may differ, the techniques and exercises usually differ based on the specific type of disorder and the child’s natural development.

Some forms of speech therapy can include playing games with the child – ones that specifically include promoting effective communication. Other forms of speech therapy you can expect are reading books, drawings, and other kinds of art that are used as a component of the speech and language intervention model, intending to promote and stimulate language development. The Speech-Language Pathologists will use age-appropriate tones and syllables that are effective in communicating with the child, taking into consideration their natural development process.

The team at Beyond Communication Practice also works with parents and careers who may be asked to participate in therapy sessions and carry out treatment activities at home.

How long does treatment take?

The length of treatment largely varies on a few factors, including:

 The child’s age

• The type of speech disorder they have
• The severity of the speech disorder
• The frequency of therapy
• Any underlying medical conditions

Some speech disorders that begin in childhood can begin to improve with age awesome other speech disorders continue into adulthood and therefore require long-term therapy to improve the disorder. Without a full consultation, it’s almost impossible to give a time frame for the length of treatment for speech therapies because there are so many variables that affect this figure.

Next Steps

We understand that getting the right treatment for your child is super important which is why we take the time to get to know your needs and put in place a unique treatment plan built specifically for your child and their needs.

If you’d like to find out more about pediatric speech therapy, Beyond Communication Practice is here to help. We offer a range of treatments for speech disorders in children and are always happy to help and advise where possible.

Simply fill out our contact form or give us a call today for a completely free and no-obligation introductory call, where we can answer any questions you may have and give you more details about the services and treatments we can offer your child.