Speech, Language, Swallowing, or Voice
Diagnosis....
Now What?
At this point, you or a loved one may have been diagnosed with a speech, language, or swallowing disorder. What should you expect and what should you do?
First, you should make a list of questions for each provider you are going to then come in contact with. This could be your physician, if your a child- school psychologist and maybe some other disciplines such as OT (Occupational Therapy) or PT (Physical Therapy). And you will most likely be called in for an Initial IEP Review to go over your child's difficulties in the classroom/school and how they may benefit from receiving Speech Pathology. Don't rely on relatives, and what you hear on the television, because each child is different it's what we call "individualized therapy". What might have worked for one child, may not work for your child for other children with the same diagnosis for reasons we see.
Same pretty much goes for adult patients but you'd be meeting with different doctors, and it would be a little bit more fast paced at first In that case I would take down notes. Write down as much information as you can so at a time when your calm you formulate your own informed questions.
Your questions should comprise of any questions you might have when you first go to a new doctor with a new diagnosis. If you have the diagnosis before the meeting or even better, some possible therapies mentioned (but highly doubtful), I suggest you do some literary reading in professional research on sites like pubmed, Scott, or even Google literary for Speech treatments for your child's diagnosis. If you don't get everything asked and answered in that first meeting, I wouldn't worry. The right SLP will spend time educating you and call you to go through it. The therapist that might not be right be for your family is the one that says their too busy for a phone call or anything else above their paid time session.
Some other things to find out other than treatment that you may not have thought of:
For links to some of my favorite websites for Treatment Materials CLICK HERE. If you click on the other sub-pages under Treatment, I will also post some of my own therapy materials I find helpful!
I only post/use materials and websites that I find useful or that I use often. I do not accept paid promotions for links, unless I use the product.
First, you should make a list of questions for each provider you are going to then come in contact with. This could be your physician, if your a child- school psychologist and maybe some other disciplines such as OT (Occupational Therapy) or PT (Physical Therapy). And you will most likely be called in for an Initial IEP Review to go over your child's difficulties in the classroom/school and how they may benefit from receiving Speech Pathology. Don't rely on relatives, and what you hear on the television, because each child is different it's what we call "individualized therapy". What might have worked for one child, may not work for your child for other children with the same diagnosis for reasons we see.
Same pretty much goes for adult patients but you'd be meeting with different doctors, and it would be a little bit more fast paced at first In that case I would take down notes. Write down as much information as you can so at a time when your calm you formulate your own informed questions.
Your questions should comprise of any questions you might have when you first go to a new doctor with a new diagnosis. If you have the diagnosis before the meeting or even better, some possible therapies mentioned (but highly doubtful), I suggest you do some literary reading in professional research on sites like pubmed, Scott, or even Google literary for Speech treatments for your child's diagnosis. If you don't get everything asked and answered in that first meeting, I wouldn't worry. The right SLP will spend time educating you and call you to go through it. The therapist that might not be right be for your family is the one that says their too busy for a phone call or anything else above their paid time session.
Some other things to find out other than treatment that you may not have thought of:
- Is the Therapist State Licensed in the state where therapy is being provided? Does he/she ASHA (have her CCC's - Clinical Competency)? Does the therapist have their Master degree? This should easily be able to be looked up as well as in their signature. MS or MA is thier Master of Science or Master of Art, CCC - SLP (Clinical Competency
- What is being recommended for treatment & why?
- How is it supposed to help physiologically?
- Is it a product or an excersize?
- Again, thoroughly research any product or therapy advised. If you have any difficulties going through the research, as your therapist or your doctor to help you.
- Call your Insurance Company and ask if your insurance will cover any services. You're most likely to get different answers from all different places. Your provider can always assist you with submitting reimbursement forms.
For links to some of my favorite websites for Treatment Materials CLICK HERE. If you click on the other sub-pages under Treatment, I will also post some of my own therapy materials I find helpful!
I only post/use materials and websites that I find useful or that I use often. I do not accept paid promotions for links, unless I use the product.