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Does anybody have kids going to speech therapy?
My daughter (4) has been tested recently and has been identified as in severe need of a speech therapist. I'm told she is exceptionally bright, but at this point with the way her speech has developed, she is understood by me, who knows what she is saying, others find it very difficult.
Long story short, I haven't been around enough the past four years, mum is a second language English speaker, and not a good one at that, and she has learnt her English mainly from her, not her mum's fault at all, and I accept that I've messed up with prioritizing work over home.
Our insurance will cover 20 sessions per year, which means 20 sessions in the next 8 months before we are made to change providers.
I went to a speech therapist, but can't remember how long it took to correct, or how much was done at home.
Any tips, other than to become more active in home life?
Speech and Language Therapy is about more than just speaking and language, it's also about social skills, self perception and other communication aspects. Have a look at Alex Kelly's website: http://alexkelly.biz
One of my twins went to speech therapy, quite common in twins as they garble away to each other so don't feel so much need to communicate with others sometimes. Think he went for about a year then they were happy with his progression, he was happy enough doing it and it definitely made a difference.
Not trying to be funny but would her mum attending too help?
If she spends a lot of time with her mum then any modelled behaviour is likely to be reinforced unless her mother changes how she speaks too?
With all these things it's often the 'practice' away from the actual sessions that determine success or failure.
My middle daughter had some speech therapy because when she was about 4/5 she would struggle to pronounce C. (Crisps would be pronounced frisps, for example.) I have absolutely no idea whether she would have developed normally - my gut feeling is that she would have but now she speaks normally.
Its lots of sounds with her, fairly advanced vocabulary, a 4 year old talking about opinions and transformations, but unfortunately, probably me who only gets its all.
Mum going to speech therapy would possibly work, but as an ESL learner, more than likely a lost cause.
Not sure how long it takes to go back to basics and get her on the right track. In my mind it is with learning the L sound so she can at least say her own name, but I'm sure the therapist will have different opinions once we have sorted one out.
Lots of google advice, and online SLPs available>
Feel like a right twunt at the moment, knew it was an issue, but always presumed it would sort itself out.
Ms Makrie Jr had speech therapy at around four. The school said that her vocabulary and understanding were in advance of her speech and this might lead to her becoming frustrated and that other kids might struggle to understand her. I don't know how severe her problems were - I could always understand her but pretty much everybody else struggled - but it was certainly less than 20 sessions before we were done, and an amazing transformation in her speech over that time!
Like IdleJon above, I of course don't know if her speech would have sorted itself out naturally - but my suspicion is not, it's just that the improvements made through the therapy came so quickly and the home exercises we were given seemed so straightforward that it makes it seem with hindsight that her speech was always going to improve!
In brief, it really worked for us.
If the reason she needs speech therapy is just because she is picking up mispronunciations off your partner, then the problem is situational and relatively easy to resolve 1) some speech therapy but it shouldn't take long and 2) she will start attending school on a more regular basis so will be exposed to native English speakers.
I wouldn't get upset over it, just one of those things and they will be able to correct her pronunciation fairly quickly. Infact I think some speech therapy is good for verbal intelligence anyway.
I had lots of speech therapy as a kid, three times a week after school, from about 5 to 7 years of age. But I had problems with my hearing, also I think my first therapist was scamming the system - trying to get as many sessions as possible and she exaggerated how bad my speech was. so make sure you find a reputable therapist.
Evening, my son is having speech therapy (5 and 3months). He had ear infections as a baby, dribbled alot etc. Hes got a well developed perception and knows when to act dumb, bright and cunning to a T. His teacher said it took her a while to click how to trick/figure him out but his pronounciation is off slightly. I am sceptical about the nhs service on this round our way, short sessions, quick to sign off. Almost like they have something better to do. They must have seen him three times in 2.5yrs.
When you say insurance, your not in the UK?
Has she had a hearing test done? If not get that done too, even if don't think its necessary. Don't correct her speech, just repeat back what she has said clearly. You are modelling good speech to her. When you are playing together comment on what she is doing, so she hears lots of clear varied language. Don't interrupt her play with questions as this does not help her speech. Have fun and remember to turn off TV, radio when you are playing. One last thing make sure you are face to face and at her level. Cheers 1 shed.
We made the mistake of once discussing my sons speech in ear-shot of him. After that he started stammering when talking infront of me 🙁
Make sure everything you say about her speech is 'off site'.
One of my twins went to speech therapy, quite common in twins as they garble away to each other so don't feel so much need to communicate with others sometimes. Think he went for about a year then they were happy with his progression, he was happy enough doing it and it definitely made a difference.
My lad (also a twin) went to some sessions around four years old. I don't know whether it helped, or whether his brain just suddenly decided to grow up a bit, or a bit of both, but within six months the issue was gone.
I had speech therapy as a child and went to a school that specialised in it. It helped me no end according to my parents.
My eldest has recently finished having speech therapy. He started at school (5) with some nhs sessions, however we felt he needed more help (was affecting spelling etc) so paid for a private therapist. took about 8 months, but was money well spent.