Pediatric speech therapy is a wide-ranging service provided to children who suffer from a variety of communication disorders and delays. Speech and language skills are complex, here are the Top 5 Benefits of Speech Therapy
Top 5 Benefits of Speech Therapy
Pediatric Speech Therapy is a wide-ranging service provided to children who suffer from a variety of communication disorders and delays. Speech and language skills are complex and can require some explicit teaching to be learned correctly. Read below for the Top 5 Benefits of Speech Therapy!
Examples of challenging areas include difficulty with specific sound pronunciation and being able to be understood, using appropriate grammar, and using the appropriate amount of words for the child’s age. Other examples of communication challenges include stuttering, the sound and quality of the child’s voice, and social skills. Should parents have concerns about their child’s speech or language development, a speech therapist can help. Listed below are the top five benefits of pediatric speech therapy:
1. Improved Communication Skills:
The primary goal of pediatric speech therapy is to improve a child’s communication skills. The goals and treatment provided vary based on the child’s needs. Children with articulation disorders who have difficulties being understood will learn how to change their sounds and become more intelligible.
Language skills are broken down into two categories: receptive language and expressive language.
- Some children who exhibit challenges with understanding instructions or identifying items labeled for them present with a receptive language disorder.
- Children with expressive language disorders may not be saying as many words as their same-age peers or use incorrect grammar such as improper use of pronouns, plurals, etc.
Speech therapy can help these children to communicate effectively as well as understand the things others say to them. A child who receive speech therapy may also see an improvement in their verbal and nonverbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions. Improved Communication Skills is #1 of the Top 5 Benefits of Speech Therapy.
2. Enhanced Social Skills:
Communication is a crucial part of social interaction! Children who struggle with speech and language development may have difficulty making friends, participating in group activities, and understanding what is expected of them. Speech therapy can help children develop the skills they need to interact with others and form meaningful relationships. Enhanced Social Skills is #2 of the Top 5 Benefits of Speech Therapy.
3. Boosted Academic Performance:
Good communication skills are essential for academic success. Children who struggle with speech and language development may have difficulty following instructions, participating in class discussions, and completing assignments. A variety of speech sound errors may also result in challenges with reading and spelling as well. Did you know that speech therapy can help children improve their language skills, which can lead to better grades and overall academic performance.
Speech therapists are able to use school-based curricula to target goals specific to the needs of the children. Furthermore, they are serving to address the language-based needs they are presenting with at school. This builds a foundation on which the struggling learner can continue to build learning skills as education increases in difficulty.
Lastly, one example of this is working on producing rhyming words to increase correct spelling of these words to then being able to use these words in writing. Boosted Academic Performance is #3 of the Top 5 Benefits of Speech Therapy.
4. Increased Self-esteem:
Children who have trouble communicating often feel frustrated and self-conscious, which can lead to low self-esteem. Speech therapy can help children feel more confident in their ability to communicate and interact with others, boosting their self-esteem and overall sense of well-being. Stuttering is one area of speech therapy that especially focus on the self-esteem of the child as children are taught how to manage stuttering while believing that it is okay to be a person who stutters.
5. Early Intervention:
It’s important to address speech and language disorders as early as possible, as children’s brains are most receptive to language learning during the first few years of life. Some children do not display language challenges until later in their development, in which case intervention can be provided for older children. However, early intervention is recommended whenever possible. Parents are recommended to observe the speech, language, and social skills their children display and seek help as early as possible if they have any concerns. Early intervention can help children catch up to their peers and may prevent further delays in language development.
In conclusion, pediatric speech therapy can provide numerous benefits for children with communication and speech disorders. It can improve communication skills, enhance social skills, boost academic performance, increase self-esteem, and provide early intervention. Speech therapists are trained to work with children of varying skill level and functionality. Regardless of how complex or simple you consider your child’s communication challenges to be, if you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, consider speaking with a qualified speech therapist or bring your concerns to your doctor to discuss options for receiving speech therapy. Can Do Kids Pediatric Therapy Services in Cleveland, TN is a local women owned clinic who is here to help parents understand their child. Additionally, Can Do Kids is help our patients meet their developmental milestones. Can Do Kids offers Pediatric Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Hippotherapy
