Category: FAQs

Young mother teaches a child with a tablet

At-Home Activities: 8 Fantastic Tips to Help Your Child’s Speech and Language Development

At SLP-tele, we believe in the powerful combination of online speech therapy and parental support. When these two factors come together, your child’s potential becomes limitless.

As a parent, it’s important to understand that your child will benefit much from the encouragement and guidance you provide after a speech therapy session has ended. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and engaging activities that the entire family can enjoy together to help your little one’s speech and language development.

At SLP-tele, not only do we provide online speech therapy services, we also provide parents/guardians with additional at-home practices games and video clips to help their child successfully reach their speech therapy goals.

Below we’ve outlined a number of fantastic tips and activities to get the most out speech therapy.

8 Tips for At Home Speech Therapy Practice

1. The Power of Play

The power and value of play in a child’s speech development can never be overlooked. While they are playing with toys and games, take the time to sit with them and model how the toy is used while using an animated voice to highlight its different parts.

2. The Power of Words

Your daily interactions with your child are absolutely important to their growth. Make sure to talk clearly, appropriately model any words they may be having problems with, and use visual cues to help them in their understanding. Clear, simple, and consistent speech is the way to go. Also, make sure to give them some time to respond.

3. Let Your Child Speak For Themselves

Rather than limiting your child’s opportunity to express their needs, provide them the opportunity to speak for themselves. Instead of asking, “Do you want this or that,” let them use their own words to let you know what they want/need.

4. Active Listening

As a parent, it can be very easy to get caught up in the hoopla of the day and not have a full conversation with your child. Instead, show them that you are being an active listener by asking them questions that relate to the conversation they are having with you. Also, make sure to give them the opportunity to talk about things that interest them.

5. Read, Read, and Read Some More

Reading is an essential element of speech and language development. It’s never too early to start reading to your child. Start off with simple books that repeat words and phrases (rhyming is great for speech development). Even reading the same book over and over can help them exercise their language skills.

As they grow, offer them more “challenging” books that require them to answer simple questions that go beyond just yes and no answers. You can also make the readings as dramatic or whimsical as possible. Make loud dramatic sounds to grab their attention.

6. Fun Time with Flash Cards

There are plenty of free flashcards that you can find online or purchase that can provide children with plenty of practice. Focus on flashcards that have sounds they may have difficulty with. To really draw your child in, consider adding some type of reward for getting a certain amount of sounds/words correct. For instance, sugarfree gum can help to strengthen their jaws without causing cavities.

7. Mirror, Mirror On the Wall

Modeling is an important piece of any speech therapy program and parents can get in on the fun by helping their children learn how to properly pronounciate by using a mirror. Choose a few words that are challenging them and demonstrate by moving your mouth slowly as you say the word to say them. Then, let your child speak in front of a mirror so they can see how to move their mouth to make certain sounds.

Get silly and include plenty of onomatopoeias like buzz, moo, roar, and meow.

8. Sing Along

Children love to sing and allowing them to belt out their favorite (parent approved) hits can encourage them to learn new words, practice active listening and memory, and improve their ability to express themselves verbally.

SLP-tele is here for all your online speech therapy needs. We are ready to help improve your child’s communication skills.

If you believe your child could benefit from online speech therapy services, do not hesitate to contact SLP-tele today at 877-757-8353. Our experienced and caring team of online speech-language therapists can discuss a personalized plan to help your child unlock their full potential.
Common Questions Parents Have About Online Speech Therapy

Helping Parents Understand: Common Questions Parents Have About (Online) Speech Therapy

Online speech therapy takes full advantage of modern technology to make speech therapy services more accessible and effective for patients. However, with any new changes to medical care, we understand that parents may have a bit of uncertainty and plenty of questions. 

At SLP-tele, we want parents – and especially your child – to be fully comfortable when working with our online speech therapists. Below we discuss some of the most common questions parents have about speech therapy and online speech therapy.

Let us put your doubts to ease and show you why SLP-tele can be the speech therapy provider that will change your child’s life.

Common Questions Parents Ask

1. How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

There are several signs to look out for if you believe your child may be in need of speech therapy services. Some of the most notable behaviors include:
  • Your child does not react to what is happening in their surroundings in a way deemed normal.
  • Your child avoids using a variety of words or sounds.
  • Your child has trouble understanding or answering questions.
  • Your child does not interact with other kids their age or toys the same way others would.
  • Your child is unable to tell adults what they need with words. They use gestures, other sounds, or even tantrums.
  • Your child does not follow instructions well.

If your child is exhibiting any of these signs, it is important to contact a speech language therapist (SLP) who can evaluate your child’s need and determine whether they are experiencing a speech delay or other communication disorder.

2. How will my child be evaluated?

Your child will undergo an official assessment of their language abilities based on two kinds of measures: formal and informal.

Formal measures compare the child’s skills to those of other children their age. These activities include simple tasks like labeling pictures and answering questions.

Informal measures consist of getting to know the child better, this includes interviews with teachers, caregivers, and other people who may know the child well. This will give the speech-language therapist valuable insight into the child’s speech development.

Based on these measurements and observations of the child’s play and interactions, the SLP will be able to effectively diagnose the child’s needs and develop a therapy plan.

3. What is online speech therapy?

Online speech therapy is a modern form of speech therapy delivered through live digital media rather than in-person. At SLP-tele, we are able to provide services through the use of the Internet and a computer or tablet – it’s that simple.

This way, the child can be comfortable in the convenience of their own home or school setting.

4. Is online therapy as effective as its on-site counterpart?

Yes! Online speech therapy is as effective as on-site therapy. Research has shown this to be true and, in fact, some studies have even indicated it is more effective than other methods when serving children who may be dealing with anxiety, sensory sensitivity, or other conditions that can make in-person sessions difficult.

5. How does it work and what will I need?

SLP-tele makes it completely simple, all you need to do is request an appointment with us. The day of the session, all you will need is:

  • A solid Internet connection
  • A computer, laptop, or tablet with video camera capabilities
  • Headphones
  • A quiet, well-lit room or environment

6. What are the benefits of online speech therapy?

In general, online speech therapy makes speech therapy much more accessible to the families and children that truly need the services. This is especially true for individuals living in rural areas who do not have immediate access to speech-language therapy services and who may need to travel substantial distances to receive the care they need.

It is also beneficial – as previously mentioned – for children dealing with other conditions that can make it challenging for them to receive treatment in an office setting.

Online speech therapy also allows children to receive the support they need in the comfort of their own home. It also makes it much easier for parents to get involved in their child’s therapy program.

7. How long will the program take?

How long the therapy process will take depends on a number of factors including the goals that are being pursued, the rate of your child’s progress, their consistency in session attendance, and the family’s willingness to practice after a session is over.

8. Will my insurance cover online speech therapy?

At SLP-tele, we are able to bill some insurance plans for online sessions.

However, it is best that you to check beforehand to see what coverage you can receive. We will gladly supply you with the necessary paperwork to submit to your insurance company or pre-tax savings plan.

Fortunately, for many families, the growth and success of online speech therapy means many insurance companies are willing to cover this service.

9. What are some ways to encourage my child’s language development at home?

Dialogic reading is one of the best options to improve vocabulary and comprehension.

Children love having stories read to them and this form of reading provides them with the opportunity to answer questions and ask them as well. Ask your child comprehension questions about the story as you are reading along and encourage them to interact.

You can even add commentary to the story by sharing some relevant anecdotes with your child. As your child grows, questions can become more abstract and open-ended, causing them to develop their conversational and speech skills.

10. How important is speech/language development to academic success?

Simply put – it is very important. Research shows that children who reach their language and speech milestones earlier in life do better academically.

Yet, this does not mean that a child with a communication disorder cannot be successful or catch-up with their peers. It is very important, however, that any delays are identified early so that speech therapy can be successful.

11. Is it ok if my child is learning two languages at once?

Understandably, many parents may think it would be troublesome to teach their child two languages if the child is already experiencing a speech delay or a disorder – but this should not be a cause for concern.

If you decide you want your child to learn two languages at once, that is a great idea and it works even better if they start at a young age.

It is recommended to have the child spend time with a language model who is a native speaker of the second language, like a babysitter or a teacher. Kids as young as fours months old are capable of differentiating between different languages.

12. Why should I choose SLP-tele?

SLP-tele can help you with all your online speech therapy needs. We are well prepared to help improve your child’s life and communication skills. When you choose SLP-tele, you are choosing:
  • Better outcomes. Online therapy helps children better absorb the lessons and skills being taught to them.
  • Improved compliance and participation. Better scheduling options means families can take advantage of these services.
  • Kids love it. Children love tech and the online world. Online therapy is a more enjoyable experience where they can participate in fun, game-based activities.
  • Parents are happier. Parents love to see the progress being made and all the fun their children are having.
  • Better communication and reporting. The online system allows for quicker and easier communication between patients and therapists.

If you are concerned your child may be suffering from a speech or communication disorder, do not hesitate to contact SLP-tele today at 877-757-8353.

FAQs About Online Speech Therapy

FAQs About Online Speech Therapy

AT SLP-tele, we understand that parents want the best for their children when it comes to their development and wellbeing. Making sure they get the best support for their needs is no exception.

That’s why we have strived to develop the best online speech therapy program nationwide. Our experienced speech therapists recognize that parents may be a bit wary about online speech therapy, but we want to assure you that there are plenty of fantastic benefits.

If you have questions about online speech therapy, we’d like to offer you some valuable information to ease your concerns. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from parents here at SLP-tele:

How does online speech therapy work?

Think of it as a video conference between your child and one of our expert therapists. You can be right there, at home with your kid, supervising the whole interaction while your child comfortably receives guidance and treatment in their very own room.

Does online therapy effectively keep a child’s attention?

Children love technology and are always eager to get a bit of screen time. Our therapists are also skilled at keeping children engaged throughout the entire length of the session. Our experienced and licensed therapists are well prepared to keep your child’s attention to help them develop and improve their speech skills.

What are the benefits of online speech therapy?

There are plenty of amazing benefits that online speech therapy provides including:

  • Ease of access for your child and your family
  • A much more comfortable and conducive learning environment for children
  • Parents can participate much more in their child’s program
  • Additional resources so that children can continuing practicing even after the session is over

Is online speech therapy as effective as in-person treatment?

Research has shown that online speech therapy is as effective as in-person treatment. In fact, some studies have shown online speech therapy to be more effective than other methods as it can better serve children who are dealing with anxiety, sensory sensitivity, or other conditions that can make in-person sessions difficult.

Does SLP-tele offer therapy in Spanish?

Yes, SLP-tele is dedicated to delivering premier online speech therapy services and we want to ensure that we are able to provide all families and children with the support they need. Because of this, we have experienced and licensed bilingual therapists on our staff.

Language should not be a barrier to getting your child the care they need.

Would delaying speech therapy affect my child?

The unfortunate reality is that failing to obtain your child the speech therapy services they need can greatly affect them as they begin to age. The more your child practices communication errors the more prevalent they will become. Research has shown that waiting to provide your child with the speech therapy they need can make it hard to break these negative patterns.

If your child has shown signs of a communication disorder, the fastest and easiest way to get them the help they need is through online speech therapy.

SLP-tele strives to deliver quality online speech therapy services where children feel the most comfortable – at home. Contact us today to request an appointment.