Questions for the Speech Therapist

What is a Pediatric Speech Therapist? 

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A pediatric speech therapist is also known as a pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP). An SLP assesses and provides skilled intervention for a variety of speech, language, voice, cognitive, feeding and swallowing disorders. A pediatric SLP works with children with a variety of developmental, genetic, and neurological disorders with varying severities.

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Is it common for a child to need a Speech Therapist? 

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According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) 1 in 12 children between the ages of 3 and 17 has had a speech, language, voice, feeding or swallowing disorder in the past 12 months.

 

Does my child have autism?

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Autism is a growing and evolving neuro-developmental disorder. There are many symptoms of autism and it is indeed scattered around a spectrum. The following list is common amongst those children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A speech therapist can help treat, and manage children with autism. Oftentimes a psychologist or medical doctor can help diagnose autism spectrum disorder when a formal diagnosis may be necessary. 

 

  The following are "red flags" that your child may have autism.

 

• Poor or fleeting eye contact

• Self-stimulatory  behaviors

• Hand flapping

• Rocking

• Oral seeking

• Perseveration on activities of choice

• Lack of joint attention

• Not responding to their name

• Poor imitation skills

• Difficulty with imaginative play

• Display less emotions

• Poor emotional regulation skills

• Difficulty with social interactions

• Poor understanding of body language, vocal tone, and other non-verbal social cues

• Egocentric 

• Difficulty with changes in routines

• Prefers solitude and to play alone

• Sensitivity to noises, smells and tastes 

• Repetition of words (echolalia)

• Difficulty transitioning

• Need for routine and “sameness”

 

Does my child have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? 

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Your child may have OCD if they have  excessive worrying or thinking about something, and has rituals they must do as they believe this will prevent bad things from happening. A speech therapist can help manage, treat, and improve on the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. 

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Does my child have ADD/ADHD?

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Attention Deficit Disorder is at often times difficult to notice in a developing child. Whether your child has difficulty completing tasks like homework or chores, or frequently moving from one uncompleted activity to another. These common attributes can be signs of a developing disorder relating to your child's attention and focus. The earlier this is addressed by a speech therapist the better the outcome.