Looking for advice on language therapy? Your child’s teacher could be the best source of information!
When your child begins their schooling journey, they will be surrounded by other children outside of their family or direct friend group. In addition, they will have teachers guiding them who are experienced in literature and are able to identify a child’s skill level. Due to this, teachers might pick up on learning difficulties that your child has and may raise suggestions for you to help improve their learning.
It’s understandable that as parents it can be confronting having someone else tell you something might be wrong with your own child. However, it’s important to realise that it’s only coming from a place of care and concern. At Alex V. Speech Pathology, we often work directly with teachers and in-school speech pathologists to ensure that your child’s treatment aligns with their schooling and life milestones.
In light of this, below are some of the reasons as to why it’s important to listen to your child’s teacher’s advice on language therapy.
What is Language Therapy?
Language therapy refers to the treatment of someone who suffers with language disorders in order to help them develop stronger language skills. Depending on which part of language your child struggles with, and what their approach to learning is, treatment will vary in order to achieve the best result. This is because language is broken up into three parts: syntax, semantics and pragmatics, and children can struggle with one of these, a couple of these or all three of these.
Read our previous blog to find out more about the fundamentals of language.
Why Language Therapy is Important
Language therapy involves teaching children who have difficulties with interpreting and using language, which might include:
- Following instructions
- Expressing themselves
- Reading prose
- Constructing and writing sentences that make sense
- Delays in language development
- & more
It’s important that these symptoms are analysed as soon as possible because if left untreated your child’s language skills will fail to develop. Poorly developed language skills can lead to delayed learning, difficulties making friends, and building relationships which are all fundamental parts of a child’s early development. In fact, lack of language skills can sometimes have a flow-on effect and cause behavioural issues. At Alex V. Speech Pathology, it’s our mission to make language therapy effective, engaging and fun for children, incorporating our evidence-based treatment methods into games that your child will enjoy.
From a Teacher’s Perspective
In most cases, teachers have chosen their profession because they want to help children learn. This involves not only teaching them the curriculum but offering guidance along the way in many areas of learning and identifying any gaps in your child’s learning. If your child’s teacher approaches you and suggests that your child should undergo language therapy, it’s understandable that it might come as a shock, especially if you haven’t noticed it in your child before. It’s important to understand that teachers are highly experienced education professionals who are trained to identify gaps in children’s learning and offer assistance to help them develop these skills.
Your child’s teacher also sees them in a completely different environment to their home, where children can often present different attitudes to learning. At Alex V. Speech Pathology, we work closely with your child’s teacher to ensure their skills therapy is aligned with the curriculum so that they can continue to learn at a similar rate to their school peers.
Alex V. Speech Pathology is made up of a team of qualified, experienced Speech and Language Pathologists who are passionate about helping children communicate. For more information about our business or to book a consultation, contact us on (07) 3217 7037.