Therefore, after all, it's quite difficult to predict with certainty how long your child's speech therapy will last. A 2002 study concluded that significant advances in speech clarity require approximately 14 hours of therapy, on average. Many children who need speech therapy have an articulation or phonological processing disorder. The typical time to correct a difference in speech is 15 to 20 hours (Jacoby et al, 200), and the typical frequency for joint treatment is twice a week for 30-minute sessions (ASHA 200).
Based on this information, it could be assumed that if the disorder were mild to moderate, if the child attended treatment on a consistent basis, and families did their homework between sessions, the total duration of treatment could be about four to five months. The actual treatment time will also depend on the number of sound errors that are being addressed in the treatment plan. The more sounds that are wrong, the longer the treatment lasts. Some treatments are short and others are longer.
It depends on the problem the child is working on. Children can see a speech therapist once or several times a week. Treatment may last a few weeks, a few months, or a few years. The first two weeks of therapy are usually spent with the therapist and your child establishing a relationship and routine.
However, soon after, you will be told what the current high-priority goals of therapy are, as well as tips for achieving those goals outside of therapy sessions. In general terms, I recommend sitting down with your child and employing these strategies two or three times a week. Help your therapist find out what really motivates your child. This can help keep your child “engrossed” in the therapy process.
The data for involving parents is strong and, of all the factors I have mentioned today, this is the one that is most under their control. Your child may only slowly develop language skills and could benefit from working with a speech therapist. We recommend downloading it now and starting here when deciding if your child may need speech therapy or not. The best age for speech therapy is the age when your child begins to fall behind schedule or when you notice that he is not meeting milestones.
If you're worried that your child isn't meeting milestones and you're wondering when is the right time or the best age for speech therapy, read on. This gives you peace of mind knowing that the therapist you choose to work with is qualified to meet your child's speech and language needs. In addition, the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) helps ensure the clinical competence of all certified therapists through its Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC). It's best to request a speech and language evaluation as soon as you notice that your child isn't meeting communication milestones.
Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas believes that partnership with families is a fundamental part of treatment. I have also seen children who only have one sound of speech that they have problems with and who take longer to treat them than I expected. The speech-language pathologist (SLP) must provide specific objectives for practice with objectives of motor speech or articulation therapy. Speech therapists are trained professionals who help children and adults with different speech-related problems.
When you ask your child simple questions or give him clear orders and he doesn't understand them, this could be a reason to go to an SLP. For example, some children have difficulty pronouncing certain letters or words, so their parents choose speech therapy for young children.
