Many children have speech issues. If you have determined that your child needs help learning to speak, there are a number of options to seek a professional opinion. Schools, private practices, and hospitals all have speech pathology programs. Once you have selected a facility to use, you need to know what to expect next.

First is your child's screening, which is typically around twenty minutes. The therapist will ask your child questions and engage them in conversation. They may even observe them in the classroom. These steps are key in speech pathology, and allow the physician to be certain that speech therapy is needed. Overall, the pathologist is trying to determine if your child has the ability to understand what they are saying, the vocabulary to express themselves, the voice quality to say it, and the oral structures and muscles to form the words.

For the assessment, or parent interview, you can expect paperwork. Some forms will request the medical history, including speech pathology, of your child and details about their development. Other forms provide permission for the pathologist to speak to your child or with other professionals (teachers, doctors, etc) about the needs of your child.

During your interview with the speech pathologist, you will discuss your child's development and medical history. They will want to know your concerns and expectations for your child. Other specialists or teachers may also need talk with you for the full picture to be seen.

It is important to speak freely with the therapist to best assist with the speech pathology. Make all of your concerns known and explain the situation fully. Provide your child's daily activities, interaction with others, and the circumstance in which you observed the issues that made you concerned about your child. Give specific examples and avoid generalizations. If the pathologist can't understand your child's experiences, they can't make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

You know more about your child than anyone. Tell them how old your child was for their €firsts€... first babbling, first word, first word combination, first time to recognize letters. Inform them of all health issues you had while pregnant, or that the child had in their first years. Were there ear infections? Is there a family history of speech or hearing problems? While giving the list of areas that concern you in your child's communication development, remember to also provide positive milestones. The pathologist also needs to know where your child excels.

Once there is a speech pathology report laid out for your child, the therapist can begin determining therapy options.

Remember to check with your doctor before undergoing any medical treatment or taking any particular remedy.