How To Support a Family Member Undergoing Speech Therapy
Table of Contents
Why is Family Support Important: Benefits of family support in the speech therapy process
How to Support Family Members Undergoing Speech Therapy: Tips and ideas for supporting communication outside of structured therapy sessions
When a child or adult begins speech therapy, progress doesn’t only happen in the therapy room—it happens at home, at school, at the dinner table, and in everyday interactions. While a skilled speech-language pathologist (SLP) brings expertise and guidance, it's the consistent, loving support of family that can make all the difference in a person’s journey toward improved communication.
Why Family Support is Important
1. Reinforcement Beyond Therapy Sessions Speech therapy sessions often occur just once or twice a week. That leaves the majority of time outside the therapy sessions—time that can either accelerate or slow down progress. Families who reinforce speech goals at home help turn isolated lessons into daily practice. Whether it’s practicing speech sounds during storytime or encouraging communication during mealtimes, families can provide consistent, low-pressure opportunities to build skills.
2. Motivation Through Support Progress in speech therapy can be challenging at times, especially when a client becomes frustrated with their limitations. Encouragement and patience from family members can build resilience and confidence. A child is far more likely to keep trying to say a difficult word if their parents cheer on each small success. Adults in therapy, too, often draw strength from a supportive home environment that respects their efforts and setbacks.
3. Personalized Practice Opportunities Families know the individual’s interests, routines, and personality better than anyone else. That knowledge can be incredibly valuable. A therapist might recommend practicing certain sounds or using specific communication devices—but it’s the family that can integrate those exercises into real-life contexts. Want your child to practice the “s” sound? Build it into playtime with their favorite superhero or story. Real-life practice makes therapy more meaningful and memorable.
4. Building Communication Rich Environments A home that encourages talking, listening, and expression helps create a rich environment for communication growth. Even small changes—like reducing screen time, engaging in more conversations, or making time for shared reading—can have a big impact. Families play a central role in setting the tone and structure of these environments.
5. Fostering Long Term Growth and Consistency Speech therapy isn’t always a short-term solution. For some, it’s a journey that spans months or even years. Family members who actively participate help ensure that therapy goals are understood and carried forward—even after formal sessions end. This continuity can be crucial for maintaining progress and fostering independence in communication. Also, families who are more involved often see faster and more meaningful gains.
How Family Members Can Support Speech Therapy
1. Understand the Therapy Goals Every speech therapy plan is tailored to individual needs. Whether the goal is to improve articulation, enhance language comprehension, reduce stuttering, or recover communication skills after a stroke, knowing what your family member is working on allows you to support their progress more effectively.
2. Practice Consistently at Home Repetition is key in speech therapy. Daily practice helps solidify new skills and build confidence. This doesn’t mean drilling exercises for hours—it means weaving practice into daily life.
Examples:
Practice target sounds during reading time.
Encourage conversations during meals.
Use flashcards or games for vocabulary or articulation drills.
For adults, engage in structured conversations or role-playing situations.
3. Model Communication One of the most powerful ways to support speech development is to model strong, clear, and expressive communication yourself. Family members can help by:
Speaking slowly and clearly.
Using appropriate gestures and facial expressions.
Expanding on what the person says to show interest and build vocabulary.
Demonstrating patience, even if it takes a while for the person to respond.
4. Create Language Rich Environments A stimulating home environment can foster language development naturally. Surround your loved one with books, music, stories, and interactive experiences.
Talk about your day.
Ask open-ended questions.
Label items around the house or during errands.
Describe what you're doing during routines, like cooking or cleaning.
Reduce screen time
5. Celebrate Successes Progress in speech therapy can be inconsistent. Celebrate even the smallest improvements to keep motivation high. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in building self-esteem and encouraging continued effort.
Try: Sticker charts, high-fives, verbal praise, or a fun activity as a reward for completing practice.
6. Communicate with the Therapist Maintain regular contact with the speech therapist. Share observations, ask for updates, and be honest about what is or isn’t working at home. Therapists appreciate involved family members and can offer suggestions tailored to your specific situation.
Conclusion
Family involvement in speech therapy isn't just helpful—it's essential. By practicing consistently, modeling effective communication, and staying engaged in the process, family members can significantly enhance the outcomes of speech therapy. You don’t need to be a professional—you just need to be present, patient, and proactive.
At Pure Speech Therapy, we foster a teamwork model with family members to enhance and accelerate outcomes. We provide family members with strategies to empower them to get off the bench and join in the successes.
Fill out our contact form to learn more and become part of your family member’s team.
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