If you've noticed speech or language delays in your child, it's normal to be concerned. Many parents worry that their child will struggle in life if communication is a challenge. Speech therapy can be a flexible, child-centered option to support their language development, and it can take place in a clinical setting or at home. While both have their advantages, at-home speech therapy can provide more comfort and personalization—and often better engagement.
This article will help parents and family caregivers understand therapy options, the benefits of at-home speech therapy for children with special needs, and what to expect from in-home therapy services.
- What Is At-Home Pediatric Speech Therapy?
- Conditions At-Home Speech Therapy Can Help
- At-Home Speech Therapy vs. In-Clinic Speech Therapy
- What Happens During an At-Home Speech Therapy Session?
- Speech Therapy Activities, Exercises, & Tools Used at Home
- Pediatric Speech Therapy FAQs
What Is At-Home Pediatric Speech Therapy?
Pediatric speech and language therapy helps children who need special support improve their language and communication skills. At-home speech therapy provides the same therapy your child would receive in a clinical, school, or group setting, but in the familiar surroundings of their own home.
During speech therapy at home, a licensedspeech-language pathologist (SLP) who is trained to address speech problems—along with any feeding and swallowing disorders—will come to your home to teach your child the specific skills they need to communicate effectively or eat safely.
An SLP will sit with your child and practice the skills they need to correct the underlying communication or eating challenge. The therapist may demonstrate sounds or words and have your child repeat them back, play games or read books with them to mimic social interactions, or introduce a new food.
Conditions At-Home Speech Therapy Can Help
Pediatric in-home speech therapy can help your child learn to communicate effectively, even with a variety of physical, structural, and neurologic disorders, such as:
- Hearing conditions
- Speech-sound disorders
- Language or developmental delays
- Expressive or receptive speech challenges
- Structural issues, such as tongue-tie or cleft lip
- Articulation and fluency concerns, such as stuttering or slurring
- Pitch, volume, or voice quality abnormalities
- Understanding, memory, and attention disorders
- Neurodevelopmental conditions, such as Down syndrome or autism
- Speech impairments caused by injuries or illnesses
- Selective mutism due to anxiety or other factors
Skills At-Home Therapy Can Develop & Improve
When you think of speech therapy, you may think of learning to pronounce certain sounds correctly or control a stutter, but speech and language therapy is much more than just teaching someone to speak fluently. An experienced SLP can help your child learn:
- Expressive skills, such as proper pronunciation and articulation, which allow your child to express their thoughts and feelings to others.
- Receptive language skills, such as reading facial expressions, making eye contact, and understanding social cues to help them better understand what others are trying to communicate to them.
- Feeding and swallowing skills, which teach safe eating habits to children with difficulty swallowing, chewing, coughing while eating, or food refusal.
At-Home Speech Therapy vs. In-Clinic Therapy
Whether your child attends in-clinic speech therapy or you opt for in-home therapy, the basics of speech therapy remain the same. Neither option is necessarily “better” for all children; the important thing is finding the option that works best for your child and your family.
In a clinical setting, the therapist has access to specialized equipment and a structured environment. The SLP can use all the games and learning tools available in the facility. Your child may also have access to small-group therapy sessions, where they can learn communication and social skills while having fun with other kids their age.
With at-home speech therapy, an SLP will come to your home to teach your child. They may bring tools or equipment with them or use readily available items in your home. Speech therapy sessions at home can provide a few key benefits for your child and family:
- It can give the therapist the ability to integrate techniques into real-life settings and daily routines, which may help children learn and engage with those skills more quickly.
- It allows parents, guardians, and other family members to observe speech therapy more closely, which can help them reinforce skills in between sessions.
- It can help your child feel more relaxed and less stressed during therapy sessions because they’re in a familiar environment.
- It can be beneficial if your family has scheduling challenges or travel limitations that make accessing clinical therapy difficult.
What Happens During an At-Home Speech Therapy Session?
At-home speech therapy sessions will differ depending on the child’s age and the underlying communication or eating problem.
During the first session or two, the therapist will likely spend some time observing your child and interacting with them in their home environment. Once the therapist has a good understanding of your child’s needs, they can design a personalized plan filled with fun, engaging activities that help your child develop the skills they need.
After this initial assessment, the SLP will spend one-on-one time with your child, teaching and providing opportunities to practice new skills. They may have you sit with them and practice the skills or play the games so you are comfortable using the same methods between sessions.
The SLP will keep careful notes and track your child's progress, adding new skills and introducing new concepts as goals are attained or new challenges come to light.
Speech Therapy Activities, Exercises, & Tools Used at Home
An SLP will use individualized and age-appropriate tools and therapies to engage your child and support them as they learn and develop communication or eating skills. They will also teach you how to use the same techniques to reinforce the skills between sessions.
They may use a variety of methods, such as:
- Flashcards, picture books, and reading out loud
- Word games or puzzles
- Play-based activities or language-based games
- Tongue and mouth exercises
- Demonstrating tongue and lip movements
- Talking, repeating, and mimicking sounds and words
- Videos, role-playing, or interactive stories to develop social skills
- Facial massage or jaw exercises for feeding and swallowing issues
- Introducing new food temperatures and textures
- Alternative communication methods, such as sign language
- Digital tools, such as augmentative and alternative communication devices
Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Speech Therapy
How often does my child need speech therapy?
How often your child will need speech therapy depends on the type and severity of the condition. Generally, one or two times a week is sufficient, especially if your child is receiving consistent support and reinforcement at home between therapy sessions. More severe challenges may require up to three sessions a week.
Do parents need to be present during speech therapy sessions?
Most therapists recommend that parents or guardians be present and available during speech therapy lessons to learn the methods and techniques and use them between sessions.
How long does it take to see progress with speech therapy?
Progress depends on the nature and severity of the condition being treated and the child’s age. If the speech or communication deficit is caused by an injury or illness, skills may improve as the underlying issue resolves. In some cases, speech disorders improve with age. Treatment duration can range from 4 to 6 weeks up to several years, depending on the underlying condition, the age of the child, and the severity and type of speech deficit.
Is at-home speech therapy covered by insurance?
Your insurance may cover speech therapy for your child, but it can vary widely based on the specifics of your care plan, the medical necessity of the therapy, and the therapist. It’s best to contact your insurance provider to understand what in-home services are covered by your plan.
At what age can a child start speech therapy?
Early intervention is often the key. Infants and children who start speech therapy soon after a concern is identified and have consistent support from parents and caregivers at home have the most success.
At-Home Speech Therapy with BrightStar Care®
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your child’s language or comprehension skills. If speech therapy is recommended, in-home speech therapywith BrightStar Care can help your child build the communication skills they need in a familiar, supportive environment.
BrightStar Care works with professional speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who can provide convenient at-home speech therapy for children with special needs. These therapists can work with you to determine a personalized therapy plan for your child’s unique needs.
If you’re looking for in-home pediatric nursing, therapies, or other home care services for children with special needs, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.