5 Surprising Ways Speech Therapy Can Boost Your Child’s Development

It may surprise you to know that speech therapists can help with many childhood challenges – not just those that involve talking! Speech therapists work on a variety of developmental areas beyond speech itself, such as language, social skills, feeding, and cognitive functions. Their expertise also goes far beyond simple communication, supporting many aspects of a child’s growth and well-being.

Here are 5 life-changing (and surprising!) areas a speech therapist can help your child thrive:

1. Feeding and Swallowing Issues

Some children have trouble with eating and swallowing, which can impact their overall nutrition and everyone’s enjoyment of mealtime. A speech therapist can help identify and improve the motor skills needed for these tasks. Whether your child struggles with chewing, swallowing, or even has difficulty trying new foods, a speech therapist can use specialised techniques to make mealtimes easier.

If your child is a fussy eater, speech therapy can help by introducing fun, gradual steps to increase their acceptance of different foods. The goal is to create a positive relationship with food while helping your child develop the necessary skills to eat safely and confidently.

2. Essay Writing and Study Skills

Learning how to study for exams or complete assessments doesn’t come naturally to all children. Some may struggle with organising thoughts, managing time, or even understanding the task at hand. The good news is that skills in research, planning, sentence structure, assessment interpretation, and managing stress can be taught. Speech therapists use a variety of evidence-based strategies to help your child process and retain information effectively.

These strategies can be particularly beneficial for children who struggle with reading comprehension, writing assignments, or exam anxiety. By working on these skills, your child will not only perform better academically but also feel more confident in their ability to handle schoolwork independently.

3. Social Communication Skills

Through fun activities and role-play, a speech therapist can teach your child how to engage in conversations, understand social cues, and develop appropriate communication in different settings. Many children face challenges when it comes to socialising, whether it’s initiating conversations, interpreting body language, or understanding tone. Speech therapists work to improve these skills by creating interactive environments where children can practice these essential social interactions.

For neurodivergent children and teens, some speech therapy clinics have dedicated “neurodiversity champions” who run social groups. These groups provide a relaxed, friendly, and inviting atmosphere where your child can connect, learn, and thrive alongside their neurodivergent peers. By improving social communication skills, your child will likely feel more confident in social settings, whether with friends, classmates, or even adults.

4. Reading and Spelling Skills

From preschool to high school, speech therapists are essential in helping children catch up when behind with reading, spelling or writing. Why? Because reading and spelling rely on a strong understanding of sounds, words, and sentences—areas where speech therapists excel.

Speech therapists conduct preschool screenings to identify children at risk for reading and spelling difficulties early on. Early detection is key to preventing long-term literacy struggles. But even if your child is in primary or high school, whether they are dyslexic or just not grasping literacy at the same rate as their peers, it’s never too late to make a difference and turn reading and writing from a chore into a joy.

Using specialized techniques, speech therapists help children decode words more easily, making reading a fun and engaging experience while boosting their comprehension. They also teach the rules of spelling, from choosing the right letters to constructing sentences and crafting compelling stories or advanced texts.

With the right support, children can develop a love for reading and spelling, gaining the skills they need to excel in literacy.

5. Self-Confidence and Emotional Expression

One of the most profound ways speech therapy can help your child is by improving their emotional expression and self-confidence. Many children struggle with articulating their feelings and thoughts, which can affect their self-esteem and relationships with others. By learning how to express their emotions clearly and appropriately, children can feel more in control of their interactions.

Speech therapists use various techniques to help children boost emotional awareness, encourage resilience and emotional intelligence, so your child can navigate complex social environments with ease.

The final word

By addressing these critical developmental areas, speech therapy offers much more than just support for speech itself. The benefits of speech therapy extend far beyond language development, promoting social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.

Whether your child is struggling with feeding issues, social communication, or academic challenges, speech therapy provides the tools and strategies needed to help them overcome obstacles and thrive in all aspects of life.

With personalised care and a supportive approach, speech therapy can make a lasting, positive impact on your child’s development.