What is Pediatric Speech Therapy? | Pediatric Therapy Directory

What Do Pediatric Speech Therapists Do?

Speech therapists are known professionally as Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). SLPs are experts in the development and improvement of communication & swallowing skills.

They help children who have problems that make it hard for them to

Use the muscles of their face and mouth to make sounds and eat
Swallow food or liquids
Take a bottle or transition to solid foods
Communicate with words, facial expressions, and nonverbal gestures
Develop relationships with family members or other children
Follow directions
Develop strong thinking and problem-solving skills
Understand social cues
Develop literacy skills
Hear sounds and voices
Get their wants and needs met

SLPs treat a wide variety of issues. Many of the children they treat have a history of

Birth defects
Prematurity
Feeding problems
Genetic conditions like Treacher Collins syndrome
Traumatic brain injuries or strokes
Developmental disabilities like autism
Learning disorders like dyslexia
Muscle weakness or spasticity
Hypertonia or hypotonia (high or low muscle tone)
Neurological disorders like cerebral palsy
Hearing loss or deafness

Some children who get speech therapy don’t have a diagnosis at all. SLPs are great at problem-solving and can help you get to the bottom of a wide variety of communication and feeding issues for your child.

In addition to treating communication and swallowing problems, SLPs

Prescribe and train children on the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices such as Picture Exchange Communication systems (PECS) or communication software.
Provide auditory rehabilitation to children who are hard of hearing or who have cochlear implants. This involves helping them with lipreading, teaching listening skills, communication device training, and learning to use a telephone.
Prescribe assistive technology like obturators for children who have velopharyngeal dysfunction.

How Are Pediatric Speech Therapists Trained?

All SLPs must have a bachelor’s degree before beginning a speech-language pathology graduate program. Speech-language pathology programs allow students to graduate with a master’s degree.

After graduation from an accredited speech-language pathology school, SLPs must pass a national board exam called the Speech-Language Pathology Praxis Exam.

They can then complete a clinical fellowship supervised by a practicing SLP who has her Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).

Some states require a speech therapy fellow to obtain a temporary state license before they start their fellowship. All states require some sort of licensure after the therapist finishes their fellowship.

Speech therapy abbreviations

SLPs sign their names in a couple of different ways. Some therapists use the initials of their highest degree and their speech therapy credentials. Others just use credentials.

You may see Jane Doe, MS, CCC-SLP, or Jane Doe, CCC-SLP.

The abbreviation “CCC” stands for Certificate of Clinical Competence. An SLP is only eligible to use those initials behind their name if they have completed a post-graduate fellowship and have met the requirements for continuing education and ethics set by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Some states require a Certificate of Clinical Competence for licensure. However, most speech therapists choose to “get their Cs” (their Certificate of Clinical Competence) even if it isn’t required

Hands-on experience

During their education, speech-language pathologists are required to do several clinical rotations. These are internships that allow them to get hands-on treatment experience with real patients under the guidance of a supervising speech-language pathologist.

Once a therapist graduates they complete a postgraduate fellowship. During this fellowship, a speech therapist usually works full-time alongside an experienced mentor. ASHA requires therapists to complete 36 weeks and 1260 hours of supervised work during their fellowship.

The clinical fellowship is important for allowing therapists to gain experience treating real-world speech and language problems with the mentorship of an experienced SLP. This guarantees that all speech therapists develop excellent clinical skills before they work independently.

Once a therapist finishes her fellowship, she is qualified to apply for her Certificate of Clinical Competence.

Continuing education and specialization

While continuing education Is required for maintaining state licensure and a Certificate of Clinical Competence, most pediatric SLPs would prioritize continuing education even if it wasn't required.

Many Pediatric SLPs specialize in areas such as pediatric language disorders, swallowing disorders, fluency disorders, or feeding therapy. ASHA offers several advanced board certifications for experienced therapists.

However, the lack of advanced certification does not mean a lack of specialized knowledge. Most pediatric SLPs take continuing education courses in a variety of specialty areas without pursuing certification.

If you are wondering if your child's SLP specializes in a certain therapy approach or diagnosis, just ask her. If the answer is no, she will most likely be able to refer you to a therapist who does.

Is Pediatric Speech Therapy Supported by Research?

Definitely. Evidence-based practice is the backbone of speech-language pathology.

Evidence-based practice in pediatric speech therapy combines scientific studies, established care guidelines, and the therapist's own expertise.

In addition to using ideas from speech therapy research studies, pediatric SLPs pull insights from research and practice approaches from other fields such as

Child development
Education
Psychology
Occupational Therapy
Otolaryngology (ear, nose & throat medicine)
Mental Health
Neuroscience
Sociology
Linguistics

This well-rounded strategy makes sure your child's treatment covers all areas of their cognitive and communication skill development.

What Age Groups Do Pediatric Speech Therapists Treat?

Pediatric SLPs treat all ages and modify their approaches to meet the unique needs of each child.

Newborns (0 - 1 month): The main focus of speech therapy with newborns is on feeding and swallowing. SLPs help newborns with difficulties with sucking, swallowing, breastfeeding, or taking a bottle. They also make sure that the baby is swallowing safely without choking or aspirating milk into their lungs.
Infants (2 months - 1 year): For infants, the focus of speech therapy is on communication development & feeding. SLPs help infants meet milestones like cooing, babbling, gesturing, responding to sounds, and transitioning to solid foods.
Toddlers (1 year - 3 years): SLPs focus on communication, play, and oral motor skills when working with toddlers. They work on building vocabulary, understanding simple requests, joint attention, symbolic thinking, and play skills.
Preschoolers (4 years - 5 years): For preschoolers, SLPs focus on advancing communication and social skills. They work on building vocabulary, cognitive skills, and following directions. SLPs evaluate speech sound production and oral motor skills for feeding and speech intelligibility. They can recommend and implement assisted communication devices to help kids communicate better.
School-Aged Children (6 years - 11 years): SLPs focus on higher-level language skills for academic success when working with older children. They address vocabulary, conversation skills, social skills, articulation, and cognitive skills like attention, memory, and problem-solving.
Adolescents (12 years - 18 years): SLPs work with teens to improve their independence with assisted communication devices. They use social stories and other strategies to improve social communication skills. They can also work with teens on oral motor skills if they continue to have difficulty with using their mouth muscles well.
Young Adults (18 - 24 years): SLPs can work with older teens and young adults to become more independent with self-advocacy. They can help them integrate communication devices into their college or work routines. And they can make the transition to adulthood easier by working on higher-level social and cognitive skills.

Where Do Pediatric Speech Therapists Work?

You’ll find pediatric SLPs throughout your community. The most common places they work are

Hospitals: Hospital-based SLPs focus on recovery from illnesses like cancer, as well as rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries and strokes. They also assist in rehab after a surgical procedure that impacts communication or feeding. Some hospitals have outpatient pediatric clinics, as well.
Outpatient Clinics: Speech therapy clinics have specialized equipment for treating a wide range of communication and cognitive needs. Outpatient speech therapy clinics are fun, engaging spaces that are set up to stimulate socialization and communication.
Schools: SLPs provide individual or group therapy either in the child's classroom or in a dedicated speech therapy space. They work on cognitive skills, academic skills such as literacy and vocabulary, social skills, and oral motor skills.
Preschools and Daycares: Speech therapists help children in preschool adapt to the social and communication demands of school, participate in simple routines, and develop play skills with other kids.
Home-Based (Mobile) Therapy: Many SLPs provide therapy in children’s homes. Government-subsidized early intervention therapy is always provided in a child’s natural environment (home or daycare) unless there is a significant reason to see the child in a clinic setting. Home-based SLPs can see children of all ages at home.
Outdoor Therapy: Outdoor therapy is an emerging practice area for speech therapists. Doing therapy in nature can be effective for stimulating language, improving vocabulary, and practicing social skills with other kids.
Virtual or Online Therapy: SLPs can work with your child via online platforms such as Zoom. They can also consult with parents and teachers online.
Consultation: SLPs can consult directly with parents and teachers in person or virtually. They can help problem-solve communication and social skills issues and provide support strategies for home and school. SLPs are often asked to consult with schools and community organizations about curriculum development and inclusion strategies.

Could My Child Benefit from Speech Therapy?

Some red flags that may indicate that your child can benefit from speech therapy are

Struggling to Talk: If your child is not talking or is behind other children her age in speech development, an SLP can help.
Feeding Difficulties: If your child is having a hard time taking a bottle or transitioning to solid foods, speech therapy may be beneficial. If your child is transitioning off of a feeding tube you should definitely consult with an SLP.
Swallowing Problems: If your child has trouble swallowing food or liquids, frequently gags or chokes while eating, or has a history of frequent lung infections, he may benefit from an evaluation by a speech-language pathologist. An SLP can perform a swallow study to see if your child is aspirating food or liquid into their lungs when swallowing.
Stuttering: If your child stutters or has other difficulties managing the flow of speech, an SLP evaluation may be beneficial.
Difficulty Reading Social Cues: If your child has a hard time reading social cues or responding appropriately to other kids and adults, a speech therapist may be able to help.
Behavioral Issues: Some SLPs specialize in behavioral therapy. They can work with children who struggle with communication and behavior at home and in school.
Voice Issues: If your child is frequently hoarse, or has difficulty controlling the loudness of his voice, a speech therapist evaluation may be helpful.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing: SLPs are experts in helping children with hearing loss learn to communicate and advocate for themselves.
Struggling with Literacy: If your child has difficulty with listening, reading, or identifying letter sounds, it may be due to underlying speech and language difficulties. Consulting with a speech therapist may be helpful.
Difficulty Making and Keeping Friends: Children with autism and other disabilities often have a hard time making friends. Speech therapy can help them work on social skills like turn-taking, sharing, back-and-forth communication, and other skills that will help improve their ability to make friends.
Can’t Follow Directions: Children who have trouble following directions or sequencing simple tasks may benefit from speech therapy.
Poor Problem-Solving Skills: If your child has a hard time managing simple tasks or persisting with everyday challenges, it may be due to an underlying cognitive issue. Consulting a speech pathologist may be beneficial.
Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate: Children born with cleft lip or palate benefit from speech therapy to improve their speaking skills and to learn to communicate verbally and with gestures.
Craniofacial or Velopharyngeal Disorders: Children born with these disorders benefit from speech therapy to help them learn to talk and communicate with signs and gestures. SLPs can also prescribe communication devices and other equipment to help improve speech and language skills.
Strokes or Brain Injuries: SLPs can help children learn to communicate again after a stroke or brain injury.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices: SLPs prescribe communication devices and train children and families to use them at home and in school.
COVID Learning Loss: If your child has speech, cognitive, social, or academic deficits related to the life disruptions that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, speech therapy may be beneficial.

How Do I Pay for Speech Therapy for My Child?

SLPs accept the same payment methods as any other healthcare professional. Some examples are

Insurance: Most SLPs accept some form of insurance, whether it's commercial insurance like Blue Cross Blue Shield or public insurance like Medicaid.
State Programs: Some states offer grant programs or waivers that can subsidize or completely cover the cost of therapy for children with specific diagnoses, such as autism.
School Districts: If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), your school district may provide speech therapy as part of their educational program.
Fee-for-Service Therapists: Some SLPs operate on a cash basis, meaning they don't accept insurance. These therapists won't file insurance claims for you, but they offer the flexibility of paying out-of-pocket.

Be sure to ask your child’s SLP about payment options, as some therapists offer sliding-scale payment plans for families who qualify.

How Do I Find the Right Speech Therapist for My Child?

Start with a prescription

Ask your child's doctor for a referral to a speech therapist. They can connect you with reputable options they've worked with before. If you plan to use insurance for therapy services, a physician’s prescription is essential.

Early intervention services

If your child is under 3 years old, contact your state's early intervention program. These services provide speech therapy and can connect you with a case manager who can walk you through the process.

Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations

Talk to parents who have gotten speech therapy for their children. Their experience gives insights into therapists' methods, personalities, and effectiveness. Local online forums like local Facebook groups can be helpful for this.

Ask a teacher

Ask your child's teacher for therapist recommendations too. Just like therapists, teachers have seen it all. There’s a good chance your child’s teacher, or another teacher you know, may have some excellent recommendations.

Search online

While online searches can be hit-or-miss, a specialized pediatric therapy directory can give you quick access to a list of qualified professionals where you live. This could be particularly beneficial if you're new to the world of therapy and don't have personal recommendations to lean on.

Finding a therapist who can build a solid relationship with your child is key. Most SLPs offer free 15-minute phone consultations. Take advantage of that and talk to several before you commit to one.