Can I Do Speech Therapy at Home Without a Therapist?

Learn about some of the common techniques used by speech therapists that you can use when practicing with your child at home without a therapist.

Can I Do Speech Therapy at Home Without a Therapist?

More serious speech issues, such as regressions, should be addressed by a licensed speech therapist. However, if your child is having difficulty with a particular sound, like the f-sound, you can help them practice on their own. Encourage them to make the sound and then move on to syllables like fi-fi-fi or fa-fa-fa before attempting words. Repetition is key and you can make it fun by giving tokens for completing exercises.

I live in North Carolina and have private insurance, but I was able to get free speech therapy through the public school system. If you're wondering if you should contact a speech-language pathologist, the answer is yes. In this article, you'll learn about some of the common techniques used by speech therapists and how you can use them when practicing with your child. It's important to pay attention to improvements in speech, but don't forget to praise other small victories like picking up toys, being polite, or going to the bathroom.

I'm a Speech and Language Pathology major from Queens, New York and I'm grateful for the encouragement to get in touch with a speech therapist who can help my son develop his skills. Since my son is being homeschooled and we have private insurance, he won't be able to receive speech therapy from the school system. A big part of a child's progress through therapy is the work they do outside of the speaking session with family members and caregivers. When interacting with your child while working on their speech and language skills, watch them, interact with them, and talk about the toys and activities they prefer or focus on.

Speech therapists sometimes use silly phrases to further stimulate a child's articulation skills. Many children have speech problems in the early stages of their development and parents are understandably concerned about their well-being and success in school. Repetition is an excellent way for children to practice their speech and language skills. To help a child communicate better, speech therapists sometimes incorporate sign language into their sessions.

Your child's speech therapist will be trained on the best therapy methods available for each type of disorder or delay. By using these strategies, children's speech and language skills will benefit from ongoing support.