As parents, when you first realise your child may need some extra help with their speech and communication, it’s natural to have questions and even feel a little uncertain. That’s okay!
Speech therapy is here to provide your child with the support they need in a way that’s engaging, effective, and tailored just for them.
Let’s walk through what you can expect from the speech therapy process, so you and your child feel comfortable and confident every step of the way.
The Initial Assessment
The first step in your child’s speech therapy journey is the assessment. This is a relaxed and friendly session where I’ll spend some time getting to know your child, how they communicate. This can happen at your home, in their school, or a nursery setting—whatever works best for you and your child!
During this time, we’ll look at areas like:
How your child is interacting including what they are interested in and motivated by
Their ability to understand and follow instructions
Their ability to express themselves with words and sentences
How your child pronounces sounds
If their speech, language and communication skills are impacting on daily activities
I'll make it fun for them, using games, toys, and activities that feel natural, so your child is comfortable and engaged. After this session, I’ll provide a report that outlines my findings and recommendations for therapy if it’s needed.
Tailored Therapy Sessions
Speech therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each child is unique, and so is the therapy I provide. Once we’ve identified your child’s specific needs, we’ll begin therapy sessions, usually delivered in blocks of therapy to make steady, consistent progress. These sessions are interactive and playful, designed to keep your child interested and motivated.
You can expect activities like:
Fun, hands-on activities to develop speech and language skills without it feeling like “work” to your child
Communication practice through role-play or social games
Sound production games to practice tricky speech sounds
Language-building exercises using stories and pictures
How You Can Support Your Child
As a parent, you play a key role in your child’s progress. During our sessions, I’ll give you tips, activities, and strategies to practice at home in a natural and enjoyable way.
Don’t worry—you won’t need any special tools or materials. We’ll use everyday items, routines, and conversations to reinforce what we’re working on in therapy. You’ll be amazed at how much progress can happen with just a few minutes of practice woven into your daily lives!
How Long Will It Take?
This is a common question, and understandably so—you want to know when your child will be able to communicate more clearly! The length of therapy depends on several factors, including the nature of your child’s speech or language difficulty, their age, and how much practice they can get between sessions.
Some children make rapid progress in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term support. Throughout the process, I’ll keep you updated on your child’s progress and adjust our goals as needed.
A Positive, Empowering Experience
The goal of speech therapy is not just to help your child with their speech sounds or language skills but also to boost their confidence. When children are able to communicate clearly and effectively, they feel proud of their abilities, which can have a ripple effect on their overall confidence and success in social and academic settings.
I’m here to make this journey as smooth and supportive as possible for you and your child. Whether you’re just starting to notice some speech difficulties or have been considering therapy for a while, feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Together, we can help your child find their voice and communicate with joy!
Are you based in Croydon or Bromley? Do you have questions or want to learn more about how speech therapy could help your child?
Feel free to get in touch—I’m always here to help!
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