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>> Parents often ask, how do I know
if I should have my child seen
for an evaluation or for treatment?
And what I would answer to that is
that if you have the question, then you should pursue a speech
and language evaluation, and a speech
and language pathologist will be able
to tell you whether diagnostic assessment
and treatment is indicated.
Parents also ask, can we participate in the treatment?
Frankly in my practice, I encourage parents, relatives
and daycare workers to participate in sessions
with a very young child.
In time, it may be more productive for a child
to work alone with your speech and language pathologist.
Nonetheless, regular updates and in session demonstration
and training, and regular consultations should be an
integral part of the treatment with your speech
and language pathologist.
Parents ask, what will their child do in treatment?
After a thorough speech and language evaluation, your speech
and language pathologist will develop short
and long-range goals for your child.
The specific activities will certainly vary,
depending upon the speech and language pathologist
and your child's interests.
Of course, your own priorities should be taken
into consideration in carrying out the goals.
I would stress the importance of being able
to take the opportunity to become educated by your speech
and language pathologist regarding the type and priority
of skills to be developed.
Parents ask, what will their child do in treatment?
After a thorough speech and language evaluation, your speech
and language pathologist will develop short
and long-range goals for your child.
The specific activities will certainly vary,
depending upon the speech and language pathologist
and your child's interests.
Of course, your own priorities should be taken
into consideration in carrying out the goals.
I would stress the importance of being able
to take the opportunity to become educated by your speech
and language pathologist regarding the type and priority
of skills to be developed.
Parents also ask, what should I tell the rest of my family?
The parents in my practice find it very helpful
to share the evaluation findings and recommendations for speech
and language treatment.
I encourage parents to explain the social language deficit
and the language challenges to their family, grandparents,
to aunts, uncles and cousins,
and explain as well other related language comprehension
and expressive language and speech issues to these people.
Grandparents, for example, are very comforted in knowing
that their grandchild is in the hands of a speech
and language pathologist who is expert
at managing this language-based problem.
Parents often ask, is there something
that we can do at home?
Well, home program coordination
with formal treatment can be highly effective,
and in my practice it's an integral part of the treatment.
It's essential to find the best person or people at home to work
with your speech and language pathologist who can guide you
and refine the home program.
Parents also ask, how long will my child need speech
and language treatment?
And there's really no simple answer to this question,
because it depends on several factors -- your child's age,
severity, and nature of the entire language profile,
when treatment starts, the intensity of treatment,
and coordination of services with other treaters, educators,
as well as the implementation of a home program.
The treatment will obviously,
and most likely be an unfolding process.