How to Do Speech Therapy at Home

How to Do Speech Therapy at Home Do you want to help your child improve their communication skills at home but aren’t sure where to start? Whether you’re on a waiting list for services or just want to boost your child’s progress between sessions, this episode is for you. Carrie Clark, SLP and founder of Speech and Language Kids, breaks down exactly how to do speech therapy at home without feeling overwhelmed. She walks you through how to figure out what to work on, how to break it down into bite-sized steps, and how to sneak practice into your daily routine (even with a busy schedule). This episode was recorded live inside the SLK Hub, and you’ll hear about how the tools and resources inside the Hub can make this whole process even easier. Listen to the Podcast Here You can listen to the full podcast episode below: Step One: Figure Out What to Work On If you’re not sure where to begin, Carrie shares a simple framework to help you narrow down your child’s communication challenges. She explains the six main areas of communication: Speech Sounds Language Social Communication Fluency Voice/Resonance Functional Communication Not sure which one fits? Grab the free screening checklist included in the free Hub membership to help you pinpoint where your child needs support: hub.speechandlanguagekids.com Free Speech/Language Screening Checklist! Get the Free Screener! Pick One Skill to Focus On Once you’ve identified the general area, it’s time to zoom in on a single skill. Carrie explains how to pick a specific, meaningful skill that will have a big impact—like answering “where” questions or producing the R sound. You’ll hear why it’s important to: Choose just one skill to avoid overwhelm Start with the easiest version of the skill Work your way up gradually How to Teach a New Skill (Without Overwhelm) Carrie explains how to make practice feel easy and doable: Find the version of the skill your child can do Practice that first Then baby step your way up from there She also explains how to apply this to both speech and language goals, using real-life examples like: Teaching “where” questions starting with “Where’s your nose?” Teaching R by starting with just the “er” sound Inside the full SLK Hub membership, therapy plans are laid out step-by-step for each skill, but Carrie shows how to do this process on your own, too. 5 Minutes a Day is Enough You don’t need hours of therapy time. Carrie recommends: Doing just 5 minutes of focused practice per day Setting a timer to keep it short and motivating Reinforcing the skill in little moments throughout your day (like in the car or during play) And yes, it’s okay if it doesn’t go perfectly! Carrie reminds us that working with your own child is way harder than working with anyone else’s. Do what you can, when you can—and take breaks when needed. Resources Mentioned Free Hub Membership + Screening Checklist Full Therapy Plans inside the SLK Hub Got questions or want support on what to work on at home? Join us in the Hub and post in the discussion board—we’re here to help! The post How to Do Speech Therapy at Home appeared first on Speech And Language Kids.