Why Do Speech Therapists Work Closely with Parents and Caregivers?

Speech and language therapists (SLTs) work together with parents and carers because their involvement is important to the child's attainment of successful therapy. Below are some of the key reasons why collaborating with parents is a crucial part of therapy.

1. Consistency and Generalisation

SLTs usually only get to see a child for a limited time every week. To make therapy successful, the child needs constant practice in their usual surroundings. Parents and carers can constantly model and reinforce skills practiced in therapy. Treatment is more effective when a child can transfer or generalise their skills from therapy to real situations. Parents and caregivers can help achieve this by aiding the child in using new methods of communication across settings such as home, school, or social life.

2. Understanding the Child's Needs and Progress

Parents and carers are the child’s experts. They are able to provide insights into the child's communication requirements, behaviour, and personality, enabling the SLT to individualise therapy. Parents and caregivers can track the child's progress at home and give feedback to the SLT. Feedback tells the therapist how to adjust strategies if needed and to remain on track with therapy.

3. Building an Environment for Support

Creating a communication friendly home environment is important for children's language development. SLT can support parents to create such an environment. This is done through personalised visuals and activities with their home in mind. This can help the child access therapy in the home as well as in the clinic.

4. Problem solving

When a child is having communication difficulties, they may become frustrated and display behaviour or become dysregulated. This can impact not only them academically but also emotionally and socially as well. Parents having a deep understanding of their child helps therapists to adapt therapy, make school recommendations and support the child better. If there has been a change in the childs life that therapists and teachers are unaware of, parents can often shed a light on this to help professionals to solve problems and give the child accessible support.

5. Emotional Support

Parents and caregivers are often a significant source of emotional support for the child. Children who struggle with their communication are more likely to also have mental health needs. Parents offering them a safe space to communicate in their own way supports children to regulate themselves and be confident communicators. Children who feel more empowered and confident to communicate practice their skills more and therefore have better communication skills.