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Steps To Take During Your First Week of Speech Therapy

Reviewed by Corinne Jarvis
Written by Corinne Jarvis Published 11/16/2020 Updated 08/12/2023

Introduction:

Starting speech therapy can feel both exciting and overwhelming, whether it’s for yourself or your child. Speech therapy is designed to improve communication, oral motor function, and other essential skills, helping individuals overcome challenges related to speech and language. It also provides support for individuals experiencing receptive language disordersspeech delays, or difficulties with feeding and swallowing disorders.

The first week of speech therapy plays a crucial role in setting expectations, establishing rapport with your speech-language pathologist (SLP), and understanding the goals of therapy. This blog will walk you through actionable steps to make the most of your first week, ensuring that you or your child get off to the best start on this journey toward better communication and health.

Step 1: Meet Your Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP)

Your first step is to meet with the speech-language pathologist (SLP), who will guide you through the therapy process. The initial meeting is typically an evaluation session, where the SLP gathers information about your (or your child’s) needs, medical history, and developmental milestones. This step ensures that the therapy plan is tailored to meet your specific goals.

  • Tip: Prepare for this session by noting down any concerns, specific challenges, or previous therapy experiences. This information will help the SLP design an effective therapy plan.
  • Search Suggestion: If you haven’t found an SLP near you, now is the time to connect with a professional who specializes in your area of concern.

Step 2: Understand Your Therapy Goals and Plan

During your first week, your SLP will outline the goals and structure of therapy. Whether the focus is on speech delay therapyreceptive language disorder treatment, or oral motor skills for feeding or swallowing, understanding the objectives is essential.

  • Ask Questions: Make sure to ask your SLP about the expected duration of therapy, frequency of sessions, and what kind of progress to expect over time.
  • Get Involved: If the therapy is for your child, active parental involvement is encouraged. Knowing how to practice speech or feeding exercises at home can accelerate progress.

Step 3: Practice Oropharyngeal Exercises to Retrain Function

Your SLP may introduce exercises during the first week that target your oropharyngeal function. These exercises are designed to improve muscle coordination and strength in the mouth, throat, and airway, which are essential for clear speech, proper breathing, and safe swallowing.

  • Key Benefits: Oropharyngeal exercises can help reduce speech delays, improve swallowing, and correct breathing patterns, particularly in children and adults with underlying oral motor challenges.
  • Practical Application: Consistent practice is critical. The SLP will demonstrate how to perform these exercises and may assign daily tasks to continue at home to build muscle memory.
  • Integration with Feeding and Swallowing Therapy: These exercises are especially beneficial if your therapy also involves working with a feeding disorders therapist or swallowing disorders therapists near you to address additional challenges.

Step 4: Start Building a Routine

Speech therapy requires consistency, and the first week is the perfect time to start building a routine around your therapy sessions. The goal is to create a predictable environment that encourages regular practice.

  • Set a Schedule: Arrange sessions at a time when you or your child are most alert and cooperative. Consistent timing helps create structure and predictability.
  • Practice Daily: Even outside of sessions, your SLP may provide simple exercises to practice. For children with speech delays, these could include repeating sounds or playing communication-based games at home.

Step 5: Track Initial Progress and Challenges

It’s essential to observe any changes in speech, feeding, or swallowing abilities during the first week. While significant progress may take time, small improvements—such as increased attention or slight changes in articulation—are meaningful.

  • Keep a Journal: Write down observations about speech patterns, eating habits, or any improvements in receptive language. This journal will help you track long-term progress and share insights with your SLP.
  • Communicate with Your Therapist: If challenges arise, such as frustration during therapy tasks, communicate openly with your SLP so adjustments can be made early on.

Step 6: Set Realistic Expectations

The first week of therapy is about familiarization and goal-setting, not instant results. It’s important to set realistic expectations for progress, understanding that speech and language development takes time and effort.

  • Be Patient: Celebrate small wins, whether it’s a child successfully imitating a sound or improved comfort with a feeding task.
  • Stay Motivated: Engage with your SLP regularly to stay motivated, especially if therapy addresses complex issues such as swallowing disorders or feeding difficulties.

Step 7: Engage with Specialized Therapists If Needed

In cases where feeding or swallowing difficulties are part of the therapy plan, you may need to consult with a feeding disorders therapist near you or a swallowing disorders therapist for specialized care. These professionals work closely with SLPs to ensure that oral motor challenges are addressed effectively, often integrating techniques to improve both speech and feeding skills.

  • Seek Support: If your child struggles with eating or swallowing, early intervention is essential. Specialized therapists can provide targeted strategies that complement speech therapy, leading to better outcomes.

Conclusion:
The first week of speech therapy lays the foundation for future progress. By meeting with your SLP, understanding therapy goals, practicing oropharyngeal exercises, building a routine, and tracking initial changes, you set yourself or your child up for success. Whether your focus is on speech delay therapyreceptive language disorder treatment, or improving feeding and swallowing skills, staying involved and committed is key.

Remember that progress takes time, and working closely with your SLP will ensure that therapy is both effective and rewarding. If you haven’t connected with a provider yet, search for an SLP near you or consult with a feeding disorders therapist near you for specialized care.

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