Making Parents the Experts
Right off the bat, we are all experts; however, our fields of expertise may differ. As your therapist, I am the expert on Speech, Language and Feeding services for your loved one. You, more importantly, are the expert on your loved one. Whether you are a mother, father, adopted parents, sibling, cousin, or friend, it is important to remember that you know your loved one best. Therapy is designed to give you, the caregiver, the skills necessary to shape a successful environment for your loved one. As your therapist, I am here to provide you with the skills needed to do so.
Each week there are 168 hours, while we are not awake for them all, there are 168 hours each week that can be used to make a difference for your loved one. By receiving services for speech and language concerns for 1-2 hours a week, there is a professional available for no more than 1% of the week (Donahue-Kilburg, 1992). In order to make gains in closing the gap, we need a professional to be there all the time. This is what your job is!
As the expert, remember that your experience and concerns are centered on your loved one. Utilize professionals to gain information in order to gain information on how to create successes within your environment (Hamaguchi, 2001).
Ask for handouts
Ask questions
Practice strategies with the therapist
Complete home programs
Target one skill at a time
Be an advocate for yourself and your loved one
Remember that during the first year of life, children are learning about the world around them. They learn about people, objects, and events that take place in their day-to-day world. During this time they develop concepts and begin to navigate how to manipulate their world. Their ability to develop is the result of their cognitive abilities as well as a result of their interaction with the environment and with their caregivers (Berstein & Tiegerman-Farber, 2002).
Remember, in order to be the expert with your child’s speech, language, and feeding needs, please consult with a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Speech language pathologist for an evaluation. Once a treatment plan has been put in a place, a qualified professional will consult with you on what you can do to begin to close the gap for your child. Please contact Simply Communication, Ltd. with questions or to request an evaluation at simplycommunication@speechandmore.com
Berstein, Deena K., & Tiegerman-Farber, Ellenmorris. Language and Communication Disorders in Children – 5thedition. Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon, 2002.
Donahue-Kilburg, Gail. Family-Centered Early Intervention for Communication Disorders: Prevention and Treatment. Gaithersburg, Maryland: An Aspen Publication, 1992.
Hamaguchi, Patricia McAleer. Childhood Speech, Language & Listening Problems: What Every Parent Should Know. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2001.