Early Intervention
Many kids have some difficulty developing speech and language. In fact, three of my four siblings received some speech therapy as young children. Some kids have difficulty pronouncing words, some have difficulty getting their message across and are frequently frustrated, some have feeding difficulties or stutter, some don't speak at all. Early intervention is speech (or other) intervention before age 3.
Early intervention is encouraged for all children who may need therapy. Generally speaking, the earlier the intervention, the better, faster, and more efficient the therapy. Additionally, "the longer a child’ hearing loss is undiagnosed and untreated, the more
difficult it will be for the child to develop speech and language
skills." (Reference)
Why should I intervene early?
To sum up quickly (Reference):
Why should I intervene early?
To sum up quickly (Reference):
- The brain is the most "plastic" (flexible) during the first 3 years of life.
- The brain can be strengthened through positive early experiences
- Language skills develop from early social/emotional development and physical health
- High quality early intervention can improve outcomes for children and families
- Early Intervention is likely to be MORE effective and LESS costly.
Who doesn't love more effective therapy for less money?!?!? Studies have shown that for every $1 spent in early intervention somewhere between $4 and $7 is saved in later therapy costs.
What can I do to help?
Early Intervention heavily involves family members and helps the family to provide therapy all the time. Some advice from the Alexander Graham Bell Association is, "As with every aspect of raising your child, your full commitment and involvement in an early intervention plan is vital to the success of your child. Even with regular speech therapy, the vast majority of your child's learning will take place with you at home. At every stage of early intervention services, make sure you are aware of what things you can do at home to continue language development.
What does the therapist bring to the table?
A service plan developed as early as possible after the child’s diagnosis.
Heavy involvement by families in the development and execution of the agreed upon plan.
A highly structured plan that provides clear and measurable goals.
- See more at:
http://www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org/Early_Intervention_What_It_Is_and_Why_It_Is_Important/#sthash.Y5drLn7h.dpuf
A service plan developed as early as possible after the child’s diagnosis.
Heavy involvement by families in the development and execution of the agreed upon plan.
A highly structured plan that provides clear and measurable goals.
- See more at:
http://www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org/Early_Intervention_What_It_Is_and_Why_It_Is_Important/#sthash.Y5drLn7h.dpuf
What can I do to help?
Early Intervention heavily involves family members and helps the family to provide therapy all the time. Some advice from the Alexander Graham Bell Association is, "As with every aspect of raising your child, your full commitment and involvement in an early intervention plan is vital to the success of your child. Even with regular speech therapy, the vast majority of your child's learning will take place with you at home. At every stage of early intervention services, make sure you are aware of what things you can do at home to continue language development.
What does the therapist bring to the table?
As
with every aspect of raising your child, your full commitment and
involvement in an early intervention plan is vital to the success of
your child. Even with regular speech therapy, the vast majority of your
child’s learning will take place with you at home. At every stage of
your early intervention services, make sure you are aware of what things
you can do at home to continue language development. - See more at:
http://www.listeningandspokenlanguage.org/Early_Intervention_What_It_Is_and_Why_It_Is_Important/#sthash.Y5drLn7h.dpuf
Along with families, caregivers, and other service providers, Speech Pathologists can provide a valuable resource for assessment, treatment, consultation, and advocacy for the client. Therapists should be providing intervention with four main guiding principles (Roles and Responsibilities):
Services are family centered and culturally and linguistically responsive.
The family of a child are the best speech therapists that are available to a child. The family will affect the child throughout their lives. Additionally, because the family is so important, the family's culture, goals, beliefs, etc. should be respected and utilized during therapy. "Components of family-centered practices include offering more active
roles for families in the planning, implementing, interpreting, and
decision making in service delivery. Family-centered practices can
maximize time and other resources, create closer alignment between
family and professional decisions and plans, and increase decision
making by families."
Services are developmentally supportive and promote children's participation in their natural environments.
A child's natural environment should be where therapy occurs. Additionally, therapy should be appropriate to the child's age and situation. Most early intervention should be manipulating objects, experiences, and interactions that are appropriate for the child's age.
Services are comprehensive, coordinated, and team based.
Early Intervention will not only take place between the Speech Language Pathologist and the family, but it may also include many other professionals (Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, etc.) in order to meet the child's overall needs. By working together using a team approach, a family can have more focused, less fragmented therapy.
Services are based on the highest quality evidence that is available.
Clinicians should use evidence-based practice principles in order to treat the child using the highest quality therapy.
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