Reading & Speech

At Stillwater Speech Therapy, we love to read. We also love it when children and adults love to read. There are offers at every corner to help with reading, yet not a lot of attention is given to the important connection between speech development and reading. Surprising to me, ‘Can speech-language pathologists help with reading difficulties?’ is a question that we have been asked several times since school started two weeks ago. The answer is….YES!!!! I cannot answer with enough enthusiasm (or exclamation points!).

How do S-LPs help with reading?

The American Speech & Hearing Association (ASHA) outlines 8 key areas in which S-LPs help, including prevention, assessment, treatment, development of programs, and advocacy. S-LPs are specially trained to identify root causes of reading and writing difficulties.

What do professionals know about reading?

Trained professionals who are helping children and youth with reading and writing should be knowledgeable about:
• the relationship between spoken and written language
• reading and writing as tools of communication
• letters representing speech sounds and how readers use these representations to decode and spell words
• emergent and pre-literacy skills that build the foundation for later reading development
• the risk factors in early childhood development that can influence literacy skills

Why is research important?

S-LPs maintain their certification through required professional development activities. Research-based evidence guides best practice recommendations. Research-based intervention protects the public from non-helpful services that could take up valuable time and resources. Research tells us repeatedly that effective reading intervention programs include focus on ALL of the following elements of learning:
• phonics (and phonological awareness…skills that are needed to learn how to read)
• fluency in language
• vocabulary (comprehension and spoken)
• reading comprehension

What should parents do?

Parents are necessary partners in speech & language therapy, and will be trained to work with S-LPs, to deliver the homework portion of their child’s reading intervention program. Parents who are looking for a ‘good fit’ with a speech therapist should be encouraged to:
• sit in and directly observe their child’s treatment sessions so that they can follow through with the home program, modeling the correct sounds and strategies
• ask questions and ask for resources
• be critical of the program their child is receiving and expect to see improvements – if progress is not being made, ask why

Teaching children that reading is fun and enjoyable is an important part of the learning process. Some ideas we can recommend include:
• Point out and comment on signage in your subdivision or local community
• Read and re-read your children’s favourite books to them
• When children start to learn to read, continue reading books above their reading level to them – this supports vocabulary growth
• Ask your child to describe or talk about pictures they have drawn – write down keywords or names of objects/places/people in the picture as they talk

If you think a speech-language pathologist might be able to help your child, reach out to your teachers and ask for a referral to be made in the school. Other options include accessing the benefits in a private medical health plan for speech therapy services, to help cover the costs of private services.

Stillwater Speech Therapy is happy to help, and we frequently use our Facebook page to share ideas and resources that parents find helpful. Please feel welcome to request specific topics and we will get the resources to you!

Talk soon,
Julie

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