A speech therapist, speech-language pathologist, or SLP evaluates and works with children with speech and language difficulties. A speech therapist can help improve children’s receptive communication, or their ability to understand others’ language and communication. A speech therapist also helps children’s expressive communication, or their ability to let people know their needs, wants, or ideas. They may do this through talking, signing, pictures, or technology. Some children also have difficulty making certain sounds, called “articulation errors.” A speech therapist can use special teaching methods to treat these. A speech therapistmay also help with feeding and swallowing problems and social skills/social communication goals.
Occupational therapists work with children who have trouble performing fine motor skills like holding a pencil, pointing, opening and closing containers, or picking up items. Occupational therapists may also work on children’s handwriting and daily living skills such as dressing, feeding, and bathing. When children get better at these skills, this allows them to be more independent in everyday activities. Occupational therapists also may help with sensory difficulties. Some children have trouble with the way things sound, smell, or feel. An occupational therapist can help teach children to learn how to tolerate these sensations.
Physical therapists help children who have trouble performing gross motor These may include balance and coordination, walking and standing, play skills, and flexibility. They also treat children who are recovering from injuries or have other medical conditions such as cerebral palsy.
If your child is under 3, they might also work with a developmental therapist through the early intervention system. A developmental therapist helps monitor your child’s developmental milestones. They give families tips for working on play skills, daily routines, school readiness, and language, as well as overall family functioning.
Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is a science that studies how things in our environment affect behavior. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA, is a provider who is trained in ABA therapy. A behavior analyst focuses on teaching your child new skills and helping decrease any problem behaviors that your child may Behavior analysts can work with you and your child to teach new skills such as communication and language, social skills, academics, and play skills. They also work with children who engage in challenging or problem behaviors such as aggression towards others, self-injury, or repetitive behaviors that get in the way of appropriate behavior. Additionally, behavior analysts may work with your child to increase functional daily living skills. For example, a behavior analyst could work with you and your child on hand washing and potty training.
Psychologists work with families in many ways. They are one of the professions that may diagnose children with They, along with other mental health providers (like counselors), can also help families manage children’s behavioral concerns, emotional difficulties such as mood or anxiety problems, attention and learning problems, and challenges related to sleep or toileting. A psychologist may ask you questions, observe children at home or school, or do testing with your child to figure out your child’s strengths and weaknesses. This helps them learn more about how your child interacts with the world. It also helps them create a treatment plan to help you teach your child new skills and work on areas of concern.
Developmental-behavioral pediatricians are medical doctors who are certified in pediatrics with sub-specialty training in developmental and behavioral The doctors possess training and experience to consider, in their assessments and treatments, the medical and psychosocial aspects ofchildren’s and adolescents’ developmental and behavioral problems.