Why Consistent Attendance in Speech Therapy is So Important

In Speech-Language Therapy, the frequency and duration of visits is always dependent on the child and their particular needs. It’s the therapist’s duty to set these expectations, but it is up to the parent to impress their follow-through. Some parents don’t understand this about the practice, so I feel it my duty to expand on the reasons why consistency in this type of therapy is so important. 

Routine therapy is best for both the child and the therapist. If a child misses out frequently, they may be regressing much rather than progressing. This regression has consequences. If a child takes a backward step in therapy, the SLP must then spend valuable time re-teaching certain language skills. 

A lot of children who see speech-language pathologists are still in their developmental period. Their brains are continuously being filled with unfamiliar stimuli. Place yourself in their shoes. Do you really think you’d be able to learn anything inconsistently, while a myriad of new and exciting experiences pass you by. Some children with speech difficulties don’t understand the importance of speech language pathology. Consistency can help with this too: it’s a reminder and a goal-oriented experience. It’s important not to let a child lose their ground in speech-language therapy.

There will come a point when a child has improved to a certain level. At this point, the SLP may reduce the amounts of visits, say, from twice a week to once a week. This is all dependent on the amount of mental work the child puts into therapy and the consistency as well. At home practice, as you may know, is crucial in reaching this level, until the only place it is practiced is at home.

And this is probably the most important part: after therapy. For speech-language therapy to be most successful, parent involvement is an important factor even after therapy. Speech therapy takes setting goals and practicing toward perfecting them; much like any other activity of this caliber, it can diminish. All the wonderful skills a child has learned during therapy can cease to exist, be forgotten if parents don’t continue to impress these skills. So, if your child is in speech therapy, and you want to get the most of their potential, continue to practice at home. Bring the success your child learns at speech therapy and guide them in continuing it at home.

Resources

Stuckey, Kevin M.E.d., CCC-SLP, Super Duper Handy Handouts (2001):  "Consistent Attendance in Speech/Language Sessions - It's Important for Children and Their Communication!