What Is a Pediatric Speech Pathologist?

Communication is a vital piece of the child development puzzle. Though many children learn through their experiences and assistance from their parents and teachers, some might face challenges developing their speech communication skills. That’s where a pediatric speech pathologist comes in. They can work with children who are experiencing language difficulties to express themselves and understand their peers—both vital in thriving in social and academic settings. But what does a speech pathologist do to provide this assistance? We’ll dive into that and much more in this blog, so read on!

What Does a Speech Pathologist Do?

Our speech pathologists provide support and guidance to children who are experiencing struggles with speech-related skill building. These can include trouble with articulation or making specific sounds—a common one being the letter “s.” Sometimes, a child will have difficulty understanding words and sentences, with a similar amount of trouble using them.

Stuttering and hesitation are other signs of speech difficulties that a pediatric speech pathologist can assist with. In some cases, pitch and volume are the areas that pose the most significant challenges. No matter the issue, however, our therapists can work with the child to identify the areas of concern and develop an individualized plan to improve communication across all aspects of life.

Who Might Benefit from Pediatric Speech Therapy?

Speech therapy for children can support a wide range of individuals, including those with developmental delays, hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorder, a cleft palate or other structural difference, or even neurological disorders.

If you’re under the impression that children with specific diagnoses are the only ones who could benefit from speech therapy, forget that notion. Any kind of speech struggles, diagnosed or not, can be addressed:

• Following directions with multiple steps
• Clearly expressing needs and wants
• Forming full, complete sentences
• Being understood by peers

We’ll work closely with parents, teachers, and even other therapists to ensure any speech issues are identified and addressed with care. How do we do that, though?

What Happens During a Pediatric Speech Therapy Session?

Every speech therapy session is designed to be an engaging and age-appropriate experience. When it comes to therapy for children, many of the lessons take the form of play—one of the most effective ways to teach communication and language skills. From the child’s point of view, they’re just having fun. In reality, they’re developing crucial skillsets that will help them throughout their lives!

Here’s what a session typically includes at Basal:

• Games that encourage the practice of specific sounds
• Role-play and storytelling, which helps build language skills
• Visual aids and other tools to help children better understand what’s being taught
• Interactive activities that encourage interaction through language

Every session is a personalized experience that targets the specific areas of difficulty the child is experiencing. The aim is to make it fun while helping to build those vital skills that make social interaction so much fun!

Signs Your Child May Need to See a Pediatric Speech Pathologist

There’s no rock-solid timeline in which every child should be developing their language skills—everyone is different, after all. However, there are some red flags that can be indicators that the intervention of a professional could be required. If your child has a much more limited vocabulary than their peers of the same age, or if they’re constantly having difficulties with certain words or sounds, speech therapy could be the answer. 

Similarly, some children simply have a difficult time understanding language and following directions. They might become frustrated when they can’t properly communicate their needs. Our Pediatric Speech Therapists are highly trained to address these issues.

It’s important for you and your child to understand there is no shame in having a speech-related disorder; nearly 1 in 12 children in America has one. What’s important is knowing how to address it!

How to Get Started With a Pediatric Speech Pathologist

If your child could benefit from our speech therapy services, there are a few things you can do to get started.

• Talk to Your Pediatrician: Your child’s medical care provider can provide a referral.

• Schedule a Consultation: A Basal Pediatric Speech pathologist will take the time to evaluate the communication skills of your child so they can begin to design a personalized therapy plan.

• Ask Questions: As they say, there are no “dumb” questions at your initial consultation. We’re here to help both you and your child, so if there’s anything you want to know, ask away!

Expert Pediatric Speech Therapy at Basal

At Basal Therapies, we know just how crucial it is for every child to be heard and understood. Developing the skills needed to properly communicate are necessary for that to happen. If you think your child could benefit from working with a pediatric speech pathologist, get in touch with us today. We’ll be happy to meet with you and develop a customized plan that will help your child thrive!