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Speech Therapy Frequently Asked Questions
As a Speech Therapy Centre, we get asked a lot about what is speech therapy and what do speech therapists do. We thought it will be helpful to publish a list of frequently asked questions and answers on speech therapy for our visitors.
We also welcome your feedback and shall be happy to add your questions or comments in this section.
1. What is speech therapy?
2. Who needs speech therapy?
3. What is a speech therapist or speech pathologist? What do they do?
4. Do I need a doctor's referral to see a speech therapist?
5. Why does a child have speech and language difficulty?
6. Can my child outgrow his speech difficulties?
7. What can I expect at the initial speech therapy consultation?
8. How long does my child have to attend for speech therapy?
9. Are the sessions conducted in a one-to-one setting?
10. When will I know my child can stop speech therapy?
Our Contributor
Ms. Magan Chen trained in London, U.K. (M. Sc.) and Sydney, Australia (B. App. Sc. in Speech Pathology) and has more than 19 years of speech and language therapy experience. She has helped more than 1000 individuals to overcome their communication or learning difficulties.
Magan is a registered Certified Practising Speech Language Pathologist (CPSP) with the Speech Pathology Australia.
Together with a few speech therapists, she helped found the Speech Language and Hearing Association Singapore (SHAS) (thanks for the privilege, Helen, Praema, Poh Sim and company!) and served as its first President.
Magan is currently practising at Leo Magan Speech Sanctuary in Singapore. If you would like to see a highly experienced speech language therapist / pathologist for an initial consultation, please call us at (65) 6223-7876. Alternatively, please use the feedback form on our Contact Us page.
Magan is also team leader of the product development team of 'KeepLearning! Puzzle - Why?'.
1. What is speech therapy?
There are many definitions for "speech therapy" available on the Internet. In general, speech therapy is the diagnosis and treatment of children or adults with communication and/or swallowing difficulty. Speech therapy also includes treatment of speech difficulties such as lisp and stuttering / stammering.
Speech and language disorders in individuals can be due to developmental delay, congenital anomalies, medical conditions and brain injury etc.
2. Who needs speech therapy?
Anyone (child or adult) who has a communication disability or difficulty will benefit from professional help from a speech therapist.
3. What is a speech therapist or speech pathologist? What do they do?
"A speech pathologist (therapist) assesses and treats people who have a communication disability. Speech pathologists (therapists) work with all aspects of communication including speech, writing, reading, signs, symbols and gestures. They also work with people who have difficulties swallowing food and drink." - Speech Pathology Australia.
A speech therapist also has a particular interest in preventing any problems and educating the public about normal speech and language development.
Speech therapists (or speech pathologists) may also be known as speech and language therapists (or speech language pathologists). This is to help the general public to be more aware of their role in working with other aspects of communication and not just speech or articulation problems.
There should be no stigma attached to speech therapy as many otherwise healthy and intelligent children do see a speech therapist and enjoy the speech therapy sessions.
4. Do I need a doctor's referral to see a speech therapist?
This varies from country to country. In some areas, a referral directly from a parent is acceptable. Most General Practitioners (GPs) or Family Physicians will refer your child to see a speech therapist if they suspect your child has communication difficulties.
In Singapore, a doctor's referral is usually not necessary to see a speech therapist in private practice. However, in public health sector you may need to see a doctor first for them to refer you to a speech therapist in a public hospital.
Your speech therapist may refer your child to other professionals such as medical doctors or specialists if necessary after seeing your child.
5. Why does a child have speech and language difficulty?
Your child's speech and language difficulties may be due to any of the following:
- Speech / Verbal Dyspraxia, Articulation or Phonological difficulties.
- Autism: Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD).
- Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD).
- Specific Language Impairment (SLI).
- Learning Disability (LD).
- Speech and Language Delay.
- Stuttering / Stammering in Speech.
- ... and others.
6. Can my child outgrow his speech difficulties?
If a child has speech or language difficulties, he may not 'grow out of it'. Without speech language therapy, his speech could fall further behind his peers as he grows older.
If you have any doubts or concerns, it is best to seek professional advice from a speech language therapist (pathologist).
7. What can I expect at the initial speech therapy consultation?
The first visit is typically an assessment to find out your child's problem and details of your child's development. The speech therapist will spend quite a lot of time talking to you and understand from the parents' perspective what are the child's communication difficulty.
The speech therapist will also chat and play with your child and likely to perform some formal assessment. Most children will enjoy the session and not realized that they are being assessed.
The speech therapist will then share her observations and make her recommendations if your child requires speech therapy. This will include frequency of speech therapy and advice on activities to carry out between appointments.
8. How long does my child have to attend for speech therapy?
You can ask your speech therapist to give you an estimate of how long treatment will take. After a few sessions, ask her how your child is progressing.
9. Are the sessions conducted in a one-to-one setting?
Speech therapy sessions can be conducted in a one-to-one setting or in a group. Sometimes the speech therapist may recommend group sessions for your child. This does not mean that your child is getting less therapy. S/he may respond better in a more natural communication environment that a group setting provides.
You may ask the speech therapist to explain the reasons for recommending either individual or group sessions for your child.
10. When will I know my child can stop speech therapy?
Again, you should check with your speech therapist as she is probably the best person to know how well your child has progressed so far.
This is especially true if you child has seen the therapist for some time. As you have invested time and effort, it is always in your best interest to discuss any changes in the therapy schedule with your speech therapist. She should be happy to discuss your needs.
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