What Is A Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist?

Many parents panic when they notice their children are not speaking well. Their world crashes at the thought of their children being permanently disabled. Globally, many children and adults have communication disorders. In most cases, this disorder is noted since a child is young. They begin with stuttering, prolonging the words, lisping, and muteness. For that reason, pediatric speech pathology comes in. With compassion, they will provide the needed support using their tools, resources, and skills to help your patient with speech and communication fluency. To know more about Chicago’s trusted pediatric speech therapist, stick here! 

What is Pediatric Speech Pathology?

The study and treatment of voice, communication, and swallowing issues in children is known as pediatric speech pathology. When a youngster has trouble producing speech sounds appropriately and fluently, he or she has a speech disorder.

Who is a Pediatric Speech-language Pathologist?

A pediatric speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with children and adults to improve their verbal and nonverbal communication abilities. This team works with the other health care providers to provide treatment for these disorders. These speech problems mostly occur in young children, while there have been toddlers in some cases. They train these patients step-by-step until they speak fluently.

The Role of a Pediatric Speech-langauage Pathologist

1. They do initial assessments. They identify the type of impairment the patient has by screening using the most appropriate test instruments. The impairments can be voice, language, speech or swallowing.

2. They perform diagnosis. The pediatric speech pathologist will perform a thorough diagnostic assessment to know everything about it.

While doing the diagnosis, they do the following three main diagnosis; Dysarthria, Apraxia, and Spasmodic dysphonia. After performing diagnostic evaluations on the patients,they analyze and document the results.

3. Undergo Treatment. Using the above results, they start the treatment process. They create a patient care plan focusing on both short and long-term goals. There will be a proper tracing of the treatment progress with a record. 

They plan and perform therapies according to individual needs. Children with speech impairment tend to stutter a lot. While speaking, they will repeat the same word severally, thus affecting their speech fluency. Some children suffer from severe stuttering like tension on the shoulders, face, jaw, eye blicks and neck. Others do clench their fists or stomp their feet hard!

The SLP will be responsible for training this child step by step on how to control themselves and boost their speech fluency during the therapy sessions.

4. They also educate and train the family members on how to assist in carrying over the skills into the patient’s living environment. These children have to be trained continuously, even at home. 

5. Now and then, they counsel the children and adults on how to cope with speech disorders and communication.

Knowledge and Skills of a Pediatric Speech-language Pathologist

To become a successful pediatric speech pathologist, you must gain the required knowledge and skills. Let’s look at some of the skills you need to have.

a) Active Listening

This is the first skill pediatrics need to learn and practice. Remember, they deal with people with speech disorders. So they have to be keen listeners to help monitor the speech patterns for them to develop the right treatment plans.

b) Compassion 

Pediatrics deals with people who are abled differently. Therefore, they need to be kind, compassionate, and understanding. They should also develop a strong bond with the patients during this time.

c) Written and Verbal Communication

As a pediatric speech pathologist, you must be a communication expert in writing and orally. This is because you are responsible for teaching your patients how to speak fluently and how to write well. 

d) Teaching  

As a pediatric speech pathologist, your main role is to share your skills and knowledge with patients. You have to teach them how to overcome stuttering and speak fluently in an understanding way. For their families, you also need to teach them how to live well with the patient. That’s why you must be a skilled teacher.

Do not panic because you now have the needed solution for your speech-impaired child or relative. All you have to do is visit the nearest pediatric speech pathologist near you as soon as you notice your child has difficulty speaking! The best thing is that it’s treatable!

Once you follow everything, the SLP advises you, the healing journey of your child will be smooth. However, while choosing the best pathologists near you, do thorough research and choose those with good experience.