3 Important Questions To Ask Your Child's Speech Language Pathologist

Posted on: 23 April 2015

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If your child has been diagnosed with a speech problem, hearing problem, or both, then there's a good chance that he or she will need to see a speech language pathologist (SLP). An SLP is a licensed professional who can help develop and implement a customized plan to improve your child's speech and overall communication. Typically, children will attend regular sessions with an SLP in his or her office, or at your child's school. 

Before you select an SLP for your child to begin working with, however, there are some important questions you should ask.

Will You Provide Progress Reports?

Of course you'll want to be aware of your child's progress throughout the SLP program, and any reputable SLP should be able to provide you with updates on how your child is doing, including advice on areas where he or she needs additional work at home. For added peace of mind on your end, however, you should find an SLP with a specific system of progress reporting in place. This way, you can know for sure that you'll receive a detailed report on a fixed schedule.

What Kinds of Fees Do You Charge?

SLPs can vary greatly in how they charge for their services. For instance, some may provide a free initial consultation to get an idea of where your child stands, whereas others may charge for the initial meeting. Furthermore, some SLPs may charge on a per-session basis, whereas others may send you a monthly bill. If your child's SLP will be visiting him or her in school, there may also be separate fees involved, so just be sure to ask for a cost breakdown--especially if your budget is a concern.

Can Your Techniques Be Implemented at Home?

Finally, make sure that you work with an SLP who will let you observe the sessions and give you tips or advice for working on problem areas at home. Specifically, your SLP should be able to provide you with ideas for speech exercises or games that you can have your child perform daily. After all, the key to your child's long-term success is being able to implement what he or she learns at SLP sessions into his or her everyday life.

Choosing an SLP for your child, like Felix M. DiPalma, M.S., will take some research and careful consideration on your part; by asking these questions, however, you'll be well on your way to making the right decision.