Over their first few years, toddlers make remarkable progress. They crawl, walk and talk – often creating words and phrases in the process.
If your child seems withdrawn and/or seems less vocal than usual, this could be an early indicator of speech disorders and requires evaluation by a professional speech therapy for toddlers Adelaide. Therefore, conducting an evaluation is highly advised for each case of suspected speech issues.
What Is Speech Therapy for Toddlers?
First words can be an exciting milestone for parents. But it is important to recognise that toddlers develop at their own pace, with some kids needing assistance through speech therapy sessions with a trained speech and language pathologist (SLP) or speech therapist.
These specialists are equipped to work with children who experience speech-related challenges such as apraxia (difficulty pronouncing different syllables), articulation disorder (inability to properly pronounce sounds and words) or difficulty swallowing food.
Toddler therapy typically occurs in a play-based setting and may even take place one-on-one. The goal is for your toddler to practice their skills throughout the week with you by their side; even virtual therapy sessions need your support for maximum impact; caregivers – including parents – play an essential part in helping toddlers reach their full potential – they encourage and reinforce efforts outside therapy sessions as part of their success story.
Preparing Your Toddler for Therapy
Your toddler may seem disoriented if she or he is not speaking often enough or is showing poor pronunciation, and stutters. If this concerns you, reaching out to their paediatrician or healthcare provider might help identify potential speech delays as they can direct you toward state and federally funded programs for evaluations and treatments.
Your initial session with an SLP may involve an evaluation. They will observe your toddler as they play, interact, and communicate; ask questions to understand his/her communication preferences; and observe them during play and interaction times with you and other adults. They may ask specific questions regarding certain words to see how your toddler communicates.
Help your toddler prepare for their evaluation with by discussing it in positive, upbeat language beforehand. Remind them that their speech therapy for toddlers Adelaide is fun and will bring lots of games for them to play with, as well as ensure an ideal workspace or play space is ready.
During Therapy
Toddlers typically meet these milestones between 10-14 months, string together 40 or more words by 18 months and be answering simple questions by 20 months. Unfortunately, not all toddlers meet these expectations or show signs of speech/language delay due to chronic illnesses, hearing loss or short lingual frenulum (the “tie” that connects tongue to bottom of mouth). Physical causes could also play a factor.
An evaluation for speech therapy may involve either direct testing or indirect testing. With direct testing, therapists use play-based activities to target specific skills that need addressing; toys and games will also be utilised to encourage children to participate while practicing sounds, articulation issues, phonological/prosodic issues, turn taking skills as well as expressive/receptive language development.
Family involvement in treating a speech/language disorder in children is extremely crucial to their treatment success, helping to incorporate strategies and activities learned during sessions into daily life at home.
Post Therapy
Your child’s needs may dictate where therapy takes place – either at home or school. A therapist can help your family decide the most suitable setting.
Speech therapy for toddlers typically entails modelling, direct intervention and coaching from their therapist. You will likely be given specific exercises between sessions to practice, such as teaching new sounds or asking for requests using “I want” signs (e.g. “more bubbles,” or “bring me the book”) using I want signs. Imitating new words, they hear could also be part of their routine therapy sessions.
Some children can struggle to remain still and focused during online speech therapy for toddlers Adelaide sessions, so their therapist may use physical games such as singing songs with hand motions or playing peek-a-boo to keep your child interested. Reciting rhymes such as Itsy-Bitsy Spider may help children associate words with meaning while encouraging speech development. Your therapist might even suggest reading books featuring colours or shapes on them so your child can practice these skills outside of therapy sessions at home.