19465 Deerfield Ave
Suite 201
Lansdowne, VA 20176
info@speechhearing.org

(703) 858-7620
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Home > Services > Speech Language Pathology > Common Questions About Speech Therapy

Common Questions About Speech Therapy

1. What is Speech/language therapy?

Speech therapy is the treatment of speech/language disorders in order to improve overall functional communication. Speech therapy includes prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, education, and continuous carry over of exercises into the home environment.

2. Who is appropriate for Speech therapy?

Both children and adults are recommended to see a speech pathologists when there is a question of a speech and language difficulty, an articulation problem, oral weakness, or a swallowing problem due to unknown factors, environmental factors, neurological factors, or acquired factors such as an automobile accident.

3. How are speech and language disorders treated?

There are a variety of ways to treat each patient. Each therapist develops an individualized treatment plan based on the individual’s evaluation to effectively and efficiently treat each individual’s need/s. We develop goals to target the problem and track the progress towards those goals. We continuously provide information and education to the parents while we provide therapy. In addition, we provide families with exercises and activities for carry-over of the skills learned during the speech therapy treatment.

4. What should I expect to see during a speech language evaluation?

Our speech therapists will utilize standardized assessments that target the areas of concern expressed in the child's case history form or during the parental interview.

5. What if my child is here for a swallowing evaluation?

We will do an oral motor assessment and a swallowing assessment to determine factors influencing your child’s ability to chew and swallow food safely. We welcome you to bring food from home if there are certain textures that are more of a concern or problem to your child.

6. Do you only treat children?

The answer is no!! We see adults as well and assess their overall speech and language skills to determine an effective treatment plan. We see adults with a vast array of disorders including neurological and acquired disorders. We have therapists who are trained and skilled in working with patients with Stuttering and Voice disorders along with Speech/Cognitive and Swallowing deficits as a result of a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

7. What do you recommend doing prior to a speech evaluation?

We recommend that you talk with your pediatrician about any speech and language concerns. In addition, we recommend that when you set up a speech evaluation that you also set up an audiological evaluation to rule out any hearing difficulties that may impact speech and language development. Also, please fill out the pediatric case history form on our website prior to the evaluation so we as therapists can determine the best evaluation for your child’s needs.

8. How do I know if my child needs speech/language therapy? Questions to ask yourself...

• Does your child have difficulty pronouncing words?
• Does your child have limited number of words or vocabulary as compared to other children of his/her age?
• Does your child have difficulty making complete sentences and/or formulating words/thoughts?
• Does your child have difficulty understanding others?
• Does your child have difficulty being understood by people other than you?
• Is your child embarrassed to talk around others in class?
• Has your child stopped participating in activities due to his/her speech and/or language problem?