Lets's talk about - Speech therapy...Expectations and outcomes

In our third and final installment on speech therapy, it's time to buckle down and identify what parents might expect from this type of intervention, and what the outcomes might look like.

In the two previous posts, we've discussed signs that  suggest your child might benefit from speech therapy, and what the next steps may look like for getting set up with a speech therapist.

Ashley Miller, Edmond mom of two and a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who works in several local school districts, has this to say about what parents can expect from speech therapy sessions:

"Parent can expect to see their children having fun while learning at the same time! A good therapist is able to integrate multiple therapy targets while engaging the child." But parents aren't off the hook, because she adds, "Parents should be as much a part of the initial evaluation and therapy process as they can. As a result, they are more prepared to carry over those skills to the home environment and encourage their children throughout their regular routine."

Furthermore, Miller says therapy sessions are individualized according to a child's needs and goals, with the ultimate goal being for the child to be able to independently use the skills he or she has been taught.

According to Edmond mom Julie Butler, the experience of speech therapy has been overwhelmingly beneficial, and her daughter has flourished with her speech therapist. "It has been a great relationship for her to have. The therapist helps reiterate things we teach at home, and it helps for my daughter to see someone else teaching her those things. She has learned to use more words to communicate her wants and needs and has learned to initiate play with other children and to interact with kids on a better level."

As for the future? Butler's daughter will be evaluated at the one year mark and her goals adjusted accordingly. "Once she has met all of her set goals or anything else we want addressed, she will be discharged."

For Jessica Toman, a mother of two children who take speech therapy in Edmond at Can Do Kids, the greatest benefit of speech therapy has been being able to have a conversation with her kids. "It was so frustrating not being able to guess their needs or figure out their frustrations. As a mom you want to help." Now, she sees what the future may hold for them..."I can tell my son will be a chatter box, and I look forward to all he has to say. My daughter has quite the sense of humor. "

And just in case, as a parent, you're wondering what a speech pathologist gets out of it? "The thing I love the most about being a speech-language pathologist is that I am constantly blessed to be in a position to help others," says Miller. "Working with children and their families is what keeps me motivated to constantly improve my knowledge base and skills as a therapist."