Parents of children with speech-language delays or disorders are familiar with the role of Fort Myers speech therapy in improving communication. However, what you may not realize is that speech therapy can also play a crucial part in helping your child develop strong literacy skills.

Whether your child struggles with reading, writing, or both, private speech therapy can provide targeted, individualized support that goes beyond the speech therapy services they might receive in school. This starts even before they actually start reading. We lay the foundation that ultimately contributes to reading and writing skills, contributing in the long-run to each child’s academic success.

The Connection Between Speech and Literacy

Speech and language are closely tied to literacy. In order to read and write effectively, children need strong foundational language skills.

Our Fort Myers speech therapy services help our patients build these skills with a range of approaches. Among the skillsets we target:

• Phonological Awareness. Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken words, which is critical for learning to read. For instance, a child needs to know that words are made up of individual sounds, or phonemes, before they can begin to match letters to sounds. Many children with speech or language delays struggle with phonological awareness, and this can directly impact their ability to decode words while reading. Speech therapists work on improving phonological skills by teaching children to identify, blend, and manipulate sounds, laying the groundwork for successful reading.
• Vocabulary Development. A strong vocabulary is essential for reading comprehension. When children have limited vocabulary, they may struggle to understand what they are reading. Our Fort Myers speech therapy services help children expand their vocabulary by introducing new words and concepts in a structured, meaningful way. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and speech-language pathology assistants (SLP-As) also work on teaching children how to understand and use words in context, which is crucial for both reading comprehension and expressive language.
• Listening and Comprehension Skills. Reading is not just about decoding words. It’s also about understanding the meaning behind them. Speech therapists help children develop listening comprehension skills by focusing on understanding spoken language, following directions, and interpreting narratives. These skills are directly transferable to reading comprehension, as children need to make sense of written text in the same way they do spoken language.
• Grammar and Sentence Structure. Many children with speech-language delays also struggle with syntax (the structure of sentences). Understanding grammar and sentence structure is important for both reading and writing. In speech sessions at FOCUS Therapy, children practice forming grammatically correct sentences, learning how to combine ideas and convey them clearly. These lessons not only help improve spoken communication but also enhance writing skills by teaching children how to organize their thoughts on paper.

How Private Speech Therapy Offers More Targeted Support

While many children with speech-language disorders receive some speech therapy services in school, there are several advantages to seeking private therapy to address literacy challenges.

Private speech therapy offers a level of personalization and flexibility that can significantly accelerate your child’s progress in developing literacy skills.

1. Individualized Attention. School-based speech therapy often takes place in a group setting, which means that the therapist may not be able to give your child the individualized attention they need. In contrast, private speech therapy allows for one-on-one sessions tailored specifically to your child’s needs. The therapist can focus entirely on your child’s unique challenges and create a customized plan that targets their specific literacy goals.
2. Focused Literacy Interventions. School-based speech therapy may not always prioritize literacy as a central goal, as it often addresses a broader range of communication needs. However, in private speech therapy, you can specifically request a focus on reading and writing skills. Private SLPs have the flexibility to spend as much time as needed working on literacy-related skills, ensuring that your child receives in-depth support in this critical area.
3. More Frequent and Intensive Sessions. In school settings, speech therapy is often limited to short sessions that may occur only once or twice a week. This limited time can make it difficult to see significant progress, especially for children who need more intensive intervention. Private therapy offers the option of more frequent sessions, allowing your child to practice and reinforce literacy skills more regularly. The increased intensity of therapy can lead to faster and more meaningful improvements.
4. Home Practice and Parent Involvement. Private speech therapy often involves more direct parent involvement and home practice, which can further enhance your child’s literacy development. Your child’s therapist will provide you with strategies and activities to work on at home, giving you the tools to reinforce what your child is learning during therapy sessions. This collaborative approach between therapist and parent maximizes the consistency and effectiveness of literacy interventions.

Long-Term Benefits of Early Literacy Intervention

By addressing literacy challenges early through private speech therapy, you are setting your child up for long-term success in school and beyond. Reading and writing are foundational skills that impact virtually every aspect of academic achievement. Children who struggle with literacy in their early years are at risk for falling behind in other subjects as well, but early intervention can prevent this.

With the targeted support of a speech therapist, your child will develop the skills they need to not only improve their speech but also become confident readers and writers. This leads to greater independence, academic success and stronger self-esteem.

Speech therapy is about so much more than just speaking clearly — it’s about helping your child communicate effectively in all forms, including through reading and writing. FOCUS speech therapy offers the personalized, targeted support your child needs to develop strong literacy skills and thrive academically. If you are concerned about your child’s literacy development, don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic for more information on how we can support your child’s journey toward becoming a confident reader and writer.

FOCUS Therapy offers pediatric speech therapy, ABA therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to kids from Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.

Additional Resources:

Reading and Writing (Literacy) Development, American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA)

More Blog Entries:

Think Your Child Has a Written Language Disorder? Pediatric Speech Therapists Spell Out The Top Signs, July 1, 2024, Fort Myers Speech-Language Pathologist Blog