Options for Speech and Language Therapy

Parents often ask what the different options are for speech therapy.  Once it is determined that a child would benefit from therapy, the speech pathologist takes into account many factors when recommending a course of therapy.  These factors may include the child’s age, the child’s personality, the severity of the disorder, their responsiveness to therapy, and the parent’s input (i.e. Concerns, work schedules, etc).

Listed below are the common options typically available: 

Option 1:         

The speech pathologist may determine that consultation with the parent to provide suggestions and activities may be appropriate.  These activities are done in the home by the parent and are designed to increase the child’s speech and /or language development.  Parents are then encouraged to make a follow up appointment with the Speech pathologist to determine if adequate progress is being made.

Option 2: 

The Speech Pathologist may decide that therapy sessions 1 to 2 times per week for up to 30 minutes a session is appropriate.  Your child may be seen individually or in a small group of children who are of similar age.  Therapy sessions typically include reviewing with the children how speech sounds are made, practicing speech sounds by themselves and then practicing the target speech sounds in simple words.  Games are usually played to extend the practice time while keeping the child actively engaged.  Homework may then be assigned to help maximize the child’s progress by continuing practice outside the therapy room.  

Option 3: 

The speech pathologist may determine that the Preschool Talk and Play Group  may be a good option.  The group meets once weekly for an hour.   Our goal is to promote growth in your child’s speech and language skills.  Your child’s therapists are Judy Sokoly and Brenda Thom.  We are both Master’s level, clinically certified speech and language therapists.  Together we collaborate to bring unique ideas into the therapy room to enhance your child’s learning experience.  Our sessions follow a similar format that includes:  

10-15 minutes of oral motor exercises designed to promote development of oral motor strength, coordination and awareness.  These skills are the basis for improving speech intelligibility.  

10-15 minutes of speech sound awareness and practice.  We practice each speech sound using posters that utilize visual, auditory and tactile cues.  These cues combine to help our students become more aware of how a sound is made, what it feels like in our mouth, and how it sounds when we say it.  We later use these posters to help us put our speech sounds into words.We also incorporate fingers plays and rhymes to help our students learn to play with sounds.  They also teach how to combine words into sentences.  

15-20 minutes of speech practice.  This would include “work” sheets that involve naming pictures, then gluing those pictures to a page.  It could also be a coloring page that includes our speech words.   These pages should then be practiced at home.  Taking five minutes a day to name the pictures on the page is a great help in learning to say words more clearly.  We may also include a game during this time that involves naming speech cards and then moving a playing piece on a game board or tossing a bean bag, etc.  

We will sometimes do an art project during this time.  This involves naming pictures to be included in the project.  It also includes naming colors and utilizing language skills like grouping items, describing items and requesting items.

The main purpose of whatever activity we choose is the practice of using our speech sounds in words.  Fun activities like the ones described above allow us to extend our practice even longer without having the children feel they are working too hard!  

Cancellation Policy

Our preschool group follows the Mona Shores Public Schools academic calendar.  Whenever Mona Shores Schools are closed, our group will not meet.  This holds true for any holiday break and snow days.  If you know your child will not be coming to our preschool group (due to illness, schedule conflicts, etc.), we would appreciate it if you would call us.   

To cancel, please call either Brenda or myself.  If we do not answer our phones, please feel free to leave a voice mail.  We check our messages frequently throughout the day. 

Our numbers are: 

Judy Sokoly:  231-798-1773, extension 8646 

Brenda Thom:  231-755-1257, extension 8741     

Choosing the best therapy format for your child is a decision best made in consultation with your child’s speech pathologist. The decision should be based on many factors including the therapist’s recommendation as well as the parent’s input. 

At any time if the therapist or the parents are not happy with the decision, a meeting should be called immediately and concerns discussed.  A parent should never feel that they are “locked into” a decision.  Parents and therapists should work together to come up with an amiable decision.  Our common goal is to maximize your child’s progress.

 

Further information

 Please check out the links in the right column for ideas, materials, websites, resources, and home practice for speech sound correction.