Many people benefit from speech therapy early in life. Maybe you had speech therapy as a child, or maybe you've been told that your child could benefit from some sessions with a speech therapist. In either case, it is important to know what you're getting into. Unfortunately, there are some misconceptions floating around about speech therapy. This article will dispel them for you so that you can pursue therapy with confidence and knowledge.
Misconception: Speech therapy is just for kids with developmental delays
Many parents are scared or taken aback when a teacher or doctor recommends speech therapy for their child. This is often because they've assumed the need for speech therapy means their child is developmentally delayed or cognitively insufficient in some ways. This is not really the case. Yes, speech therapy can be really helpful for kids with developmental delays. However, the fact that your child needs speech therapy does not mean they are developmentally delayed. If your child's doctor has never been concerned about a delay before, then there's no reason to suspect a delay now. It's common for kids to face issues with speech even if they are completely developmentally normal, and speech therapy can really help with these issues.
Misconception: Speech therapy will mean your child gets placed in alternative classes in school
Some people turn down speech therapy because they're afraid that accepting this help means their child may be put in alternative or special education classes in school. But this is not generally the case. Your child's school schedule may need to be rearranged a little to create time in their day for speech therapy, but they won't automatically be put into a different level of classes because they need speech therapy. Often, kids who need help with speech perform completely normally in math, reading, history, and other subjects and have no trouble remaining in mainstream classes.
Misconception: If you enroll your child in speech therapy, they'll be stuck in therapy for years
Some students do start speech therapy when they're young and stay in the program through high school. But this is the exception, not the rule. The goal of speech therapy is usually to teach your child essential language and speech skills so that they can move on and get out of therapy. Most kids aren't in speech therapy for more than a year or two.
Hopefully, this article has cleared up a few common misconceptions about speech therapy. It can be an incredibly beneficial thing for kids of all ages who are struggling with speech. To learn more about speech pathology, contact a medical clinic such as Eastern Carolina Ear Nose & Throat-Head.
Share3 November 2020
One day I was playing a game of basketball with a friend, and the friend I was playing ball with tripped and took a hard fall to the ground. He hit his head hard, but he insisted he was okay and just wanted to go home and take a nap. I knew in my heart that he was not thinking clearly, and I didn't feel right letting him go home. I talked him into letting me take him to the hospital, and after some tests, it was determined he had a bad concussion. The doctors told me that if I had let him go home and sleep, things could have taken a turn for the worse. I created this blog to remind everyone to look out for each other after injuries. Not everyone thinks clearly after a head injury, and just being a good friend could save a life.