Speech Sound Disorders
It’s hard being constantly misunderstood.
Those pesky speech sounds just won’t come out right!
Maybe you’re substituting sounds, like /w/ for /r/… so “run” sounds like “won.”
Or you might be leaving out certain sounds in the words…
Whatever it is, others are having trouble understanding you.
And that’s tough… for many reasons.
It gets old hearing the same responses: “I’m sorry??” “What was that?” “Can you repeat that for me one more time?”
You then have to decide what to do…
Repeat yourself?
Reword it?
Comb through all the options and pick out the words that are more likely to be understood?
It’s hard to do all that in real-time… and it’s exhausting.
“Never mind” is probably a phrase you know all too well.
Children can get speech therapy in school…
But school services often aren’t enough. Here’s why…
Therapy in schools takes place in a group setting.
Your child’s in a room with other children with similar but different problems. There’s not enough time in the session to focus solely on them.
Therapy is not individualized.
Group sessions are generally an hour for four to six students. The therapist can’t address all the goals of all the students, so they’ll touch on each student’s plan at least once throughout the session.
The school aims for your child to be “good enough.”
If your child can speak in class and be understood, that’s good enough. If it’s not educationally relevant, they can’t help. Sure, they may sound a bit “off,” feel anxious while speaking, or suffer damage to their self-esteem, but they answered the history question correctly… so… “good enough.”
Schools are overloaded.
Typical caseloads hover around 60 students, with instances of caseloads exceeding 100. Consider the magnitude: managing 100 therapies, creating 100 individualized plans, collaborating with 100-200 parents, and conducting over 100 meetings throughout the year. The question arises: How can a single therapist manage such a workload?
Therapists are restricted in how they can help your child.
If your therapist notices there’s also a feeding problem, they’re not allowed to address it. So, school speech therapists are often only partially serving your child.
You don’t have to settle.
If your child has been in speech therapy for years or you’re beginning to wonder if the “results” justify their missing math class, it’s time to make a change.
If you’re struggling with speech sounds yourself, don’t think you have to go on figuring out new ways to “get by.”
You are seen as an individual, not a number, and the aim is to assist in realizing your potential.
It’s time to consider a therapist who sees the whole picture and isn’t tied to the standards of some bureaucracy.
Providing multi-levels of support…
Be understood.
Empower your relationships and confidence through effective communication. Improve your ability to express desires, thoughts, and feelings clearly. Achieving clarity in communication ensures heightened understanding and confidence.
Understand.
Understand the reasons behind speech errors to address and correct them effectively. Learn to navigate therapy sessions for optimal progress. The more insight you have, the better you can address the issue, ensuring it doesn’t have deeper underlying concerns.
Ensure that it’s not something deeper.
Rule out deeper concerns with comprehensive care to ensure speech issues aren’t linked to functional problems with the mouth. This approach addresses potential underlying issues that can impact various aspects of your life, including eating, sleeping, breathing, and overall well-being.
Have fun!
Enjoy therapy without adding to your busy schedule. Incorporate skills during playtime or routines using everyday tools for a seamless and enjoyable experience.
Are you ready to improve your relationships?
If you’re ready to be understood, and enhance your overall health, it’s time to take the first step by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation. Let us answer your questions and discover if we’re the right fit to work together.