Speech-Language Therapy in a Clinic Setting

When should therapy take place in a clinic, instead of at home?
Whenever possible, research tells us that a child will respond best to therapy at home, where he is most comfortable, has all his things, and knows where everything is. However, there may be times when therapy at home is just not possible.

Here are some examples of situations in which therapy may take place in a clinic:

• There is just too much going on at home, and the child cannot focus on learning. Families know if the combination of pets and siblings, for example, is going to get in the way of their child’s therapy progress.
• The family lives in a remote area. Some families live in areas that are hard for therapists to get to, so they choose to make the trip themselves to ensure regular sessions at a clinic.
• The family chooses it. Every child is different, and every family is different. That means that every child’s needs, and every family’s needs, are going to be different.

If you decide that therapy in a clinic is best for your child and family, here are some things you can do to make sure your child makes good progress with therapy:

1. Participate in therapy. Wherever therapy takes place, family members need to be involved. If your child is younger than 3 years, you can learn everything the therapist is doing, so that you can embed those techniques in daily routines at home. In fact, you can embed therapy techniques in daily routines wherever you are with your child during the day. Talk to your therapist to get ideas.) If your child is 3 years or older, make sure you have practice words or activities.
2. Consult with your child’s therapist. Have regular conversations with the therapist about your child’s progress, what you can be doing, and if anything—even the setting—may need to be changed.
3. Be observant. Watch your child, and keep an eye on how he’s doing with therapy, and how he does with practice activities at home. Think of benchmarks for his progress. For instance, if he couldn’t clearly ask Grandma, “More cracker please,” last time she visited, and he’s able to do so the next time she visits.

Remember, you know your child best. So the decision of where therapy takes place should begin and end with you.

At Carolina Pediatric Therapy our expertise and experience benefit not only the child being treated, but their family as well. We strive for excellence in all forms of pediatric therapy and family support. If you have concerns or questions about your child or the services we offer, call us today at 828.398.0043.

Speech-Language Therapy in a Clinic Setting
Teresa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP