Understanding Speech Therapy: A Parent and Caregiver’s Guide to Communication Support

As parents, we all want to help our children communicate clearly and confidently. If your child has difficulty with speech sounds, language, or social communication, speech therapy may be the right support for them. But what exactly is speech therapy, and how does it work? This guide will help you understand the basics of speech therapy and how it can benefit your child.

What is Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy is a specialized service that helps children improve their communication skills. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with children who have trouble with speech sounds, understanding and using language, social communication, voice, or fluency (such as stuttering). Therapy is tailored to each child’s needs and may involve fun activities like games, books, and interactive exercises to help them learn. The goal of speech therapy is to help children communicate more clearly and confidently in their daily lives, whether at home, school, or with friends. For parents and caregivers, understanding what speech therapy entails and what to expect during the process can help ensure the best outcomes for their child.

Where Do Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists Work?

Pediatric speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work in a variety of settings to help children develop their communication skills. Some common places include:

• Schools & Preschools – SLPs work with students individually or in small groups to improve speech sounds, language, and social communication.
• Private Clinics – Therapy is often provided in one-on-one sessions, focusing on speech clarity, language development, and other communication needs.
• Hospitals & Rehabilitation Centers – SLPs help children with medical conditions, such as cleft palate, hearing loss, or neurological disorders, develop their speech and language skills.
• Early Intervention Programs – These services support children under age three who have speech or language delays, often providing therapy in the home or daycare setting.
• Teletherapy (Online Speech Therapy) – Many SLPs provide virtual sessions, allowing children to receive therapy from home using interactive online activities.

No matter where they work, pediatric speech therapists focus on helping children communicate more effectively in their daily lives!

Understanding the Speech and Language Evaluation Process

When your child sees a pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) for an evaluation, the goal is to assess their communication skills and determine if therapy is needed. The evaluation process typically includes the following steps:

1. Parent Interview & Background Information

The SLP will start by asking you about your child’s developmental history, medical background, and any concerns you have about their speech and language. They may ask questions like:
✅ “When did your child start babbling or saying their first words?”
✅ “Does your child understand and follow directions?”
✅ “Do they get frustrated when trying to communicate?”

2. Observing Your Child’s Communication

The SLP will interact with your child through play, conversation, or structured tasks to observe how they:

• Use sounds and words
• Understand spoken language
• Express their thoughts and needs
• Engage in social interactions

For younger children, this may look like playing with toys, singing songs, or looking at picture books. For older children, the SLP may have them answer questions, describe pictures, or have a conversation.

3. Standardized Testing & Speech Sound Assessment

The SLP may use formal assessments to compare your child’s speech and language skills to what is expected for their age. These tests might look at:

• Speech Sounds (Articulation) – Can your child pronounce words correctly?
• Receptive Language – Do they understand words, questions, and instructions?
• Expressive Language – Can they use words and sentences to share their thoughts?
• Fluency (Stuttering) – Do they repeat sounds or have trouble speaking smoothly?
• Social Communication – Do they engage in conversation appropriately?

4. Oral-Motor Examination

The SLP may check your child’s mouth, tongue, and jaw movements to see if there are any physical challenges affecting speech production.

5. Discussion of Results & Next Steps

After the evaluation, the SLP will explain their findings in simple terms, let you know if therapy is recommended, and discuss the best approach to support your child’s communication. If therapy is needed, they will create a plan with specific goals and activities to help your child improve their speech and language skills.

This evaluation process is designed to be fun and engaging for children while giving parents a clear understanding of how to best support their child’s communication development.

What to Expect During Speech Therapy Sessions

Speech therapy sessions are customized based on the child’s specific goals and abilities. These sessions can be individual, small group, or large group. Here’s what typically happens in a session:

1. Warm-up Activities: Sessions often begin with engaging activities to make the child comfortable and ready to focus.
2. Targeted Exercises: The therapist uses a variety of techniques, such as games, picture cards,  interactive apps, etc., to help the child practice specific speech or language skills.
3. Parental Involvement: Parents are often provided with tips, strategies, and/or activities to reinforce learning at home.
4. Progress Monitoring: The therapist continually assesses progress and adjusts goals as needed. Regular check-ins help ensure therapy remains effective and engaging for the child.

Supporting Speech Therapy at Home

Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in a child’s speech development. Here are some ways to reinforce therapy outside of sessions:

• Practice daily: Incorporate speech and language practice  into everyday routines, such as naming objects while shopping. For example, while placing grocery items into the cart, you could say, “milk”, “juice”, and “crackers.”
• Encourage conversation: Create opportunities for back-and-forth interactions by asking open-ended questions and waiting for responses.Examples of open ended questions include:
  • What do you see in the picture?
  • How does your doll feel?
  • What are you building?
  • How did you make that?
  • What else could you add to your picture?
• Read together: Reading books aloud helps improve vocabulary, comprehension, and articulation.
• Be patient and positive: Celebrate progress, no matter how small, and provide gentle encouragement.

For more information on speech therapy, please refer to the videos below.

What is Speech Therapy Video

Therapy Session Video Example

Conclusion

Speech therapy can be a transformative experience for children who face communication challenges. Understanding the evaluation process and therapy sessions can help parents and caregivers feel confident in supporting their child’s progress. With dedication, patience, and collaboration with a speech-language pathologist, children can build strong communication skills that benefit them for a lifetime.

Resources

For more information check out this resource:

ASHA Who Are Speech Language Pathologist, and What Do They Do

MDS: The Power of Reading: How Shared Books Boost Your Child’s Language Development