An In-Depth Look Into Speech Therapy

Speech therapy starts with an initial asssessment conducted by a speech therapist. This assessment involves gathering information about the child’s communication abilities, strengths, and challenges. The therapist may conduct the evaluation via informal observations, interviews, and structured assessment tools. Based on the results of the thorough assessment, the speech therapist will identify individualized goals and establish a treatment plan to address these goals.  They will review this plan of care with the family before proceeding. 

After the family and therapist agree upon a plan of care, speech therapy sessions begin. These are typically conducted 1:1 with the speech therapist and child. The therapist will employ various techniques that target the child’s individualized goals. They may also provide recommendations for the family to target the child’s goals at home, outside of therapy sessions. 

How often does speech therapy occur?

The frequency and duration of speech therapy will depend on a number of factors. These include the treatment setting, the child’s assessed needs and unique goals, and the hours allotted by insurance or other payors. Children with few communication delays may attend speech therapy for a short period of time to overcome minor challenges. Other children may attend therapy 1-3x/week for an extended period as they work on improving multiple communication barriers. The speech therapist will determine the most appropriate speech therapy frequency during the assessment process. 

What settings does speech therapy occur in?

Children may receive speech therapy in many different settings. According to ASHA, 56% of SLPs work in educational settings such as early intervention programs, preschools, and K-12 schools. Speech therapy is also commonly provided in a speech clinic or multidisciplinary care center, like that of Therapeutic Treehouse. Some speech therapists work with individuals in their homes or residential healthcare facilities. Others also work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. While less common, speech therapy can also occur remotely via telepractice.

The setting for speech therapy may influence the goals the therapist will address. For example, school-based speech therapy goals are closely tied to educational goals, addressing communication challenges that affect academic participation and achievement. Speech therapy in a private clinic often addresses a broader range of communication goals. Because of this, many children receive speech therapy both at school through their Individualized Education Program (IEP) and in a clinic outside of school hours.   

How do speech therapists collaborate with other providers?

A majority of children with autism receive two or more types of therapy to address their unique needs. For example, they may attend applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech, and occupational therapy. One 2019 research study found that around ¼ of children with autism received three or more therapies at the same time, while around ⅔ received three or more therapies in the last 12 months (Monz et al., 2019). With so many children attending multiple therapies, speech therapists understand the importance of collaboration. Collaboration with other providers is key to success whether the child attends speech therapy in a clinic, at school, or in another setting. Speech therapists may collaborate with other providers via meetings, phone calls, emails, in-person observations, or co-treats. 

At Therapeutic Treehouse, we recognize that each child is incredibly unique and requires a multifaceted approach to address their specific needs. As such, our multidisciplinary team regularly collaborates to drive the best possible outcomes for each learner.