Finding the Right Balance: How Much Speech Therapy Does Your Child Need?
The term dosage might feel out of place when discussing speech therapy - it’s a word often associated with medication. However, understanding the right dosage of speech therapy for your child is crucial. Just like medication, different therapy doses can address specific challenges and lead to better outcomes.
Knowing how much therapy your child needs can help you navigate your family’s speech pathology journey with clarity. Every family’s needs are different, and at Thrive Health Therapies, we assess multiple factors to determine the ideal therapy dosage. Let’s explore what dosage means in speech therapy and why it matters.
What Does Dosage Mean in Speech Therapy?
When doctors prescribe medication, they carefully consider factors such as the optimal dose, the patient’s response, and other individual variables. Similarly, in speech therapy, dosage refers to the frequency and duration of therapy sessions, the time spent targeting specific skills, and the number of learning opportunities within sessions and at home.
A speech pathologist must weigh many factors when determining the right dosage, including:
Your child’s diagnosis and response to therapy
Their attention span and ability to participate in sessions
Time and financial constraints
Accessibility to services
Past therapy experiences
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach (e.g. weekly one-hour sessions), therapy doses are tailored to align with your child’s goals and your family’s unique circumstances. This flexibility allows us to maximise the effectiveness of therapy within your budget and schedule.
Why Is Therapy Dosage Important?
Determining the right dosage of speech therapy can:
Accelerate your child’s progress toward speech and language goals.
Allow speech pathologists to track progress more effectively and adjust strategies as needed.
Save time and money by focusing on the most impactful interventions.
Ensure access to appropriate services and resources when required.
For example, research shows that intensive therapy (e.g.s 10 sessions over two weeks) may be more effective for certain conditions than spreading those sessions out over months. Finding the right intensity ensures your child gets the most benefit.
How Can You Find the Right Dosage for Your Child?
Every child is unique, and determining the ideal dosage requires open communication with your speech pathologist. Share any information that might influence the therapy approach, and trust that your therapist will tailor an evidence-based plan to your child’s needs.
For instance:
Children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) often benefit from Rapid Syllable Transition Treatment (ReST), which involves four sessions per week over three weeks.
A child preparing for school may achieve better outcomes with a short-term, intensive program focused on specific skills like phonological awareness and social communication.
We also offer Intensive Speech Pathology Programs during school holidays, targeting areas such as:
Speech Sounds: Improving articulation and clarity.
Literacy Skills: Enhancing reading and writing capabilities.
Oral Language Skills: Developing storytelling and comprehension.
Transition to School: Supporting readiness for the classroom environment.
Final Thoughts
The right dose of speech therapy varies for each family. While evidence supports certain approaches, we always consider your unique situation and aim to maximise outcomes within your funding and schedule. If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, reach out to our team. Early intervention is key to helping your child achieve confidence and success.
Contact us today to book an appointment and take the first step in supporting your child’s communication and confidence. Our experienced speech pathologists are here to help! Learn more about our speech pathology services for children.
Together, we can help your child thrive!
Phone: 0474 248 081