Whether or not you have a minimally verbal or non-verbal child, if you haven’t experienced speech therapy before then it can seem surrounded in mystery. Speech therapy is not only helpful for addressing a wide range of speech and communication issues; with the right therapist, your child can build confidence in themselves which can last a lifetime. Here are some things that speech therapy does to help your child.
Learning Communication
Many people make the mistake of assuming that a minimally verbal or non-verbal child is shy and reserved or chooses not to speak. But children who struggle to communicate still want to be able to express themselves, which is an innate desire in all people. Speech therapy can help your child find a way to communicate with others, even without talking. Through speech therapy, you can find a method of communication that works for your child from a variety of options, such as cooks, communication devices, and even apps that you can easily download on your phone or tablet.
Holistic Approach
While part of speech therapy includes learning how to physically speak and pronounce words, that is only the tip of the iceberg. A speech therapist will also cover language skills like comprehension and grammar. Even if your child is fully non-verbal, they can work with a speech therapist to have a better understanding of the English language. In all, the wide range of skills that a speech therapist covers can help children whether they need to correct a stammer or are having difficulty understanding instructions in school.
Social Skills
As stated above, when your child learns how to communicate, this will give them more confidence to interact with others. Especially at their young age, it is critical for your child to build social skills, both when interacting with their peers as well as adults. Speech therapy uses methods like role playing and stories to help children learn to get comfortable is social settings. Often when a child has a disability it can make them feel isolated from others. A speech therapist can help them learn to communicate and ultimately connect with people no matter what their differences are.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.