So, you’ve scheduled a speech, language, swallowing, and/or feeding evaluation for your child with Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC, or maybe you're still thinking about it—great decision! This is an important first step in understanding your child's communication needs. But now what? How do you prepare your little one for what’s coming? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some simple, evidence-based tips to help make the evaluation go as smoothly as possible.
1. Talk About the Appointment Ahead of Time
Kids love to know what’s coming, even if they can’t fully grasp every detail. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) suggests that preparing your child by discussing the evaluation in a calm, positive way can help reduce any anxiety. You don’t need to dive into too many specifics—just let them know that they’ll be meeting someone who will play some games and ask them to talk about different things. Think of it like a playdate, but with a speech therapist!
What to Say: “We’re going to visit a friend who wants to hear you talk and play some fun games! It’ll help us make sure you’re learning all the cool ways to talk and share your ideas.”
2. Make It Fun
When it comes to getting kids ready for something new, fun is the magic word. If your child loves certain toys, books, or activities, mention that the evaluation might involve some of those favorites. Speech and language evaluations are often structured like a play session, so your child might be doing puzzles, looking at pictures, or even playing with toys. Our goal is to make things engaging so we can see exactly what your little one is capable of. They won’t be sitting in a chair the whole time!
Pro Tip: If your child has a favorite toy or comfort item, feel free to bring it into the session! Sometimes having a familiar friend makes everything less intimidating.
3. Stay Calm and Positive Yourself
Kids are little emotion sponges. If you’re stressed or nervous, they can sense it! Stay upbeat, and if you have any questions or concerns, we’re always happy to chat with you beforehand. The goal of the evaluation is to get a clear picture of where your child is developmentally, and we do that in a relaxed, supportive environment. Remember, this is just an exploration of strengths and areas to grow—not a test anyone can "fail."
4. What to Expect During the Evaluation
At Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC, we structure evaluations to feel like a typical day of play! We’ll check different aspects of your child’s communication, from how they understand language (like following directions) to how they express themselves (like using words and sounds). Depending on your child’s age, we may look at speech sounds, grammar, vocabulary, and even social communication skills. ASHA recommends these comprehensive evaluations to ensure we get the full picture of your child’s needs.
5. Prepare for Some “Parent Time”
While your child is busy having fun with our speech therapist, we’ll also ask you some questions. You know your child best, so your insights are key in helping us understand their communication challenges and strengths. This may include discussing their medical history, how they typically communicate at home, and any concerns you have. You can even jot down questions or observations ahead of time if you want to make sure we cover everything. We’re all about collaboration here!
6. Celebrate Afterward
Once the evaluation is done, celebrate the fact that you’ve taken a big step toward supporting your child’s communication! Whether it’s a trip to the park, ice cream, or just some extra playtime, let your child know they did an awesome job. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in building confidence.
7. Follow-Up and Next Steps
After the evaluation, we’ll review the results with you. We’ll go over what we learned and discuss a potential therapy plan if needed. Whether your child starts speech therapy or just needs a little more time to develop, we’ll make sure you’re fully informed and comfortable with the next steps. At Speech & Swallowing Specialists of KC, we tailor our services to meet each child where they are, so you can trust that your little one is in great hands!
Preparing your child for a therapy evaluation doesn’t have to be stressful. By keeping things light and positive, you can help your child feel at ease—and remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way. So, take a deep breath, smile, and get ready to discover all the wonderful ways your child is growing and communicating!
Comments