4 Questions to Ask Your SLP About Speech Therapy Tools for Kids

Posted on February 21 2018

4 Questions to Ask Your SLP About Speech Therapy Tools for Kids

Get answers about specific tools and techniques before you buy.

We’d do anything to help our kids succeed. That includes choosing the right speech therapy tools for kids that are designed to help them overcome dyslexia or stuttering. So what speech therapy tools are best for your child? Here are four questions to ask your speech-language pathologist (SLP) before you buy:

1. What tools will most benefit my child?

Every child is unique – and so are their speech therapy needs. No matter how promising a new tool or device looks, it’s best to ask your SLP whether it will work for your child. Auditory feedback and eye tracking devices, like the Toobaloo and Eye Lighter, are often high on their list. These products are used in homes, schools, and speech therapy offices to help children with dyslexia, stuttering, reading comprehension, and special needs. They are inexpensive yet effective in improving speech and reading for kids.

2. Are there specific techniques I should be concentrating on?

No matter what your child’s struggles are with reading and speech, your SLP can offer specific tools to strengthen skills at home. Whether it’s fluency, comprehension, or auditory processing, request exercises with their recommended tool(s) that are tailored for your child. Determine whether there is a method that you should apply to make the most out of practicing with your child.

3. How much time should I spend working with my child?

Children progress at different rates, and no matter how much time you spend working with them, they will move forward when they are ready. While it is important for parents to take the time to work one-on-one with a struggling learner, it is just as critical to know when enough is enough. Toddlers and small children have short attention spans and may respond better to shorter intervals of help, while older elementary age children will be able to withstand more rigorous therapy. Your child’s SLP will offer timing guidelines based on his or her goals and needs.

4. How do I know if it's working?

You can measure the success of speech therapy tools for kids in many ways. From short-term goals to long-term milestones, ensure that your SLP has offered a measurement strategy for each tool to determine its effectiveness. Meet with your child’s speech therapist, teachers, and pediatrician regularly to discuss and evaluate his progress.

Finding the right speech therapy products for kids isn’t always easy. With so many options available, you may be wondering where to begin. Start with any tool that your speech therapist is already using with your child. By complementing their in-classroom and therapy work, you will help your child strengthen his or her efforts.

Our collection of speech and therapy tools for kids and toddlers features several products that many SLPs are already using to help stop stuttering or increase reading fluency. Shop these tools now or reach out to our customer service department at 877.819.2541 today.