Speech Therapy at home: What can I do?

Now that you know how we settled on a name (don’t know? Read here!), and how it so seamlessly incorporates the guiding light that is my inspiration so frequently, let’s sit down and get to know each other a bit more.

As I said in my first post, it truly takes a village. I’ve worked alongside all sorts of clinicians in my 10+ years of being a clinician, including OTs, PTs, and Behavior Analysts (BCBA). I adore working alongside other clinicians and sharing clients because so often we can incorporate different approaches that are working for a client into our sessions and make more meaningful progress. 

But collaboration isn’t always easy, especially when we’re not all under the same roof. In the past few years that I’ve been doing speech therapy in Pflugerville, I’ve consistently felt one thing was lacking with my speech clients: the ability to collaborate effectively with their BCBAs. Sure, I know a ton about behavior from my years of sharing space and working with BCBAs, but every child is different and sometimes an outsider's view into my session is so wildly helpful. Plus, I can get a LOT done in an hour a week, trust me. BUT, if I can show some strategies to support communication, language, social skills, etc. to a BCBA or RBT who can then provide that support throughout a client’s more intensive ABA program, that’s where the magic really happens.  

I’m passionate about us collaborating to make that happen  - BCBAs and SLPs make a beautiful partnership. But most often, here in the Austin-metro area, it doesn’t exist. 

Until now!!

So I’ll be driving around the Pflugerville area, supporting speech therapy clients right in their existing ABA clinics, daycares, and preschools. I even plan to stay a few minutes after my sessions to make sure I update your child’s therapist(s) and teacher(s). We’re here to collaborate!

But of course, my approach isn’t only about collaborating with other healthcare professionals! Parents & caregivers are constantly wanting to know “what do we do at home”? Let me jump in to some advice that you’ll probably hear me say a million times: use what you have and make what you’re already doing really meaningful! 

Let’s talk about what that means! I’m not here to add one more thing onto your plate, I’m here to help you think about how you can take what you’re already doing as a parent and make it really meaningful for the purposes of communication! 

Making the most of a nighttime routine:

For example, let’s assume that you have a nighttime routine with your toddler. We can break that nighttime routine down to see the MILLIONS of opportunities for learning here, so that it becomes a meaningful place for modeling language, creating opportunities to request, and more (without adding more to your plate!): 

• Part one: Bathtime & Pajamas

• Allowing opportunities for your child to understand the routine of bath time - can they help you get the items you all need for bathtime (shampoo, towel, toys, etc.), follow directions to get these items (go to the bathroom and get your towel!).

• Talking about the steps of bathtime - first we turn on the water, “Oh no, too hot!”, then we hop in the bath, we have to wash our bodies, we have to wash our hair! “Oh no, we’re all wet! Let’s dry off”.

• Problem solving - uh oh, what do we need to dry off?!

• Opportunities to request for their preferred pajamas: we can make choices, talk about colors, long/short pants, long/short sleeves, “ooo soft”

• Part two: Books in bed: We’ve got a whole separate blog posts on books that you can read here!

• Part three: Lights out! Your work here is done!

Consider other routines you have:

• Mealtime:

  • Have your child be an active participant in preparing their food. Talk about what you’re doing as you do it!  (Ex: oh, we’re making a sandwich!! Let’s get the jelly out of the fridge. I need a knife.)

  • Think about sabotaging to have your child help you problem solve. For example, “oh no, I spilled the jelly, what should I do?!” or “My sandwich is ready but where should I put it?”

  • Forget an item that your child might need for their meal (i.e. a fork, spoon, cup) and wait for them to request for this item.

• Getting ready to leave the house:

  • This is a great opportunity for your child to practice following directions. For example, “put on your shoes and meet me at the door” or “find your swim goggles and your floaties!”.

  • Talk about where you’re going and what you’re going to see there! “We’re going to the park! We might see some ducks in the water. Maybe we’ll see some dogs!” 

I could go on and one but hopefully you get the idea! Think about you could expand on these ideas throughout your day. Remember: Learning happens everywhere – at home, at the grocery store, in the car, waiting in line at Starbucks, etc.

Want more ideas about how to incorporate your child’s speech therapy practice at home? Make sure to follow us on Instagram!