How can a speech pathologist help my child learn to read and write?
Speech-language pathologists are well-trained professionals in both the assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders. They can determine exactly where a child’s skills are breaking down, and then come up with ways in which to address these areas of need. For instance, they can treat speech difficulties, develop a child’s knowledge and use of vocabulary, word grammar and sentence structure, expand a child’s background knowledge, teach him how to organize information and build his literacy skills. Speech-language pathologists can provide a program that offers one-on-one support and is uniquely created around a child’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Specific suggestions will then be provided to the child’s parent or caregiver to further develop these skills at home. Speech-language pathologists can also determine if referrals need to be made to other professionals (e.g. vision specialist, audiologist, occupational therapist).
