I am wanting to send my son for some speech therapy. He will be 5 in a couple of weeks and he has trouble with a lot of sounds still and it makes it hard for people to understand him. I understand most of what he says but he is starting to get frustrated when others can't understand him.
I have that homeschool speech therapy program but I just haven't taken a lot of time with him using it so I thought it would just be better to send him for therapy.
My questions are about different programs available. I know the city schools has an early intervention program and they offer free speech therapy but I don't know if that is 'safe' for homeschoolers to use that service. What can you tell me about it...... for homeschoolers?
Do you have any knowledge of the other speech therapy programs in our area? Is there one better than the others??
Thanks,
Reba
Hi Reba!
First, the best therapy is one you can do all day every day. It works best with constant verbal ques added to the direct instruction. So even if you find a therapist, they will need to train you to work with your child daily at home. I am not a therapist, but have done speech with Shelly for years. I'll be glad to show you how to do speech using the program you have a couple days a week or even 5 minutes a day, and how to follow through daily if you would like.
If you still want to find a therapist here is the info I have:
Most Public schools have a speech program for 'privately schooled children with disabilities' as required by the Federal Regulations IDEA. You can call the Dept of Special Education and ask them what provision they have. Last I checked in your area(several years ago) it was $500 per student per year which ends up to be 5 - 1hour sessions for the year and most of the therapists won't teach you the follow through for use at home. (This, of course, depends on the therapist.) You will need to find out where and when and go to the therapist for services.
You can check with the United Cerebral Palsy Center in your area as well... They might have a once a month opening available... ask them to teach you what to do daily with your child.
You can check with local private therapists to see if any of them will do a consult or evaluation each month or every other month and teach you the daily follow through for home. Most of them would rather work with your child weekly but this is not necessary if they teach you.
You might want to check with the local universities to see if they have a speech program. You can usually get discounted therapy from their interns.
I hope this helps!
Blessings,
Christie
