My Toddler doesn’t qualify for early intervention! How parent coaching can help.
As a Speech Language Pathologist, I often receive calls from parents who have children who do not qualify for Early Intervention for speech therapy. It can be difficult to qualify for services, as a child must be two standard deviations below the mean in one category (say, speech development OR motor skills) or one SD below average in more than one category (like feeding plus fine motor or cognition). The good news is, there are ways to help your child even if they do not qualify for services. Parent coaching is one of the most effective tools available!
Parent Coaching
Even if your child doesn’t meet the criteria for Early Intervention through NJS, they still may benefit from some services. Early language support can make a world of a difference in prevention of a delay later into the school years. Parent coaching is a proactive, evidence based approach that empowers you to support your child’s communication skills throughout their daily routine. Unlike traditional speech therapy, which focuses on direct intervention with the child, parent coaching equips parents with the tools to create a language rich environment at home. This can be especially beneficial for children who don’t qualify for EI but still need support to reach their milestones.
What Does Parent Coaching Look Like?
At Hoboken Speech Stars, I personalize every session for each family, but here is an example of what you can expect:
-Personalized Session- we begin with an informal evaluation of your child’s communication skills and areas for growth
-Every day Routines as Learning Opportunities- I teach parents how to naturally integrate language building strategies into mealtime, playtime, bathtime and more!
-Simple, Effective Techniques- You’ll learn how to model language, expand your child’s words, and encourage back and forth interaction
-Guidance on Play Based Learning- Toys, books and games can all be used to support speech and language development
-Ongoing Support- regular check ins ensure you feel confident and equipped to help your child progress
This model can lead to faster progress because your child is getting consistent language input from the most important person to them- you!
I offer in home and remote parent coaching sessions in Hoboken and the surrounding areas. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to reach out! I would love to help you navigate this journey.
