“What’s your resolution this year?” The most frequently asked question from January 1st – 10th of any year. After about 10 days of asking we are all pretty certain that either a. all resolutions have been broken or b. there were none to begin with. For 2018 we might consider to resolve ourselves versus struggle to meet unrealistic resolutions. Resolve ourselves to find the good in all actions and words. Resolve ourselves to be present…present to our children, our partner, our friends, our corner of the world. Resolve ourselves to laugh more, to smile more, to find the joy, to communicate!
So how does this remotely relate to speech-language therapy? Good question! Communication is not just made up of one mode of expression – talking. Rather communication is any way we get our message understood – talking, facial gestures, hand gestures, sign-language, AAC devices, etc. ; being understood is what communication is all about. Speech-language therapy is a means by which we learn how to communicate in a mode that is most effective and efficient. Speech-language therapy does not happen in a bubble and a Speech-Language Therapist (SLP) cannot make effective change in communication without the support and team-work of a child’s entire TEAM . Speech-language therapy is most effective when the entire TEAM is on the same page working towards the same end. The resolve of the entire TEAM has to be finding, practicing and expecting a child to communicate in the most effective and efficient mode. As the main members of the TEAM, parents/caregivers need to communicate with the SLP. Your SLP wants to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly….what worked, what didn’t work. Your SLP should be able to clearly explain how to best manage and create an environment for successful communication in a manner that works for the ENTIRE TEAM. The time spent communicating with your SLP is equally as important as the time she/he spends working with your child. By resolving ourselves to communicate more effectively, our children not only learn by our example but those around us will as well.
Hats off to the start of amazing things in 2018!
Yours in Speech,
Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC
