Why Involve Siblings in Speech-Language Intervention

For some time now I’ve been talking about incorporating sibling participation into speech-language intervention. I know what you’re thinking: It’s hard enough to focus on goals, take data, and find functional, motivating activities to help generalize skills into daily routines. Why add one more thing into the mix? Here’s why … sibling participation can create a win-win situation for both the sibling and the child needing services. Siblings often feel left out and confused about their brother’s or sister’s special needs. I experience this first-hand as a sibling of a sister who stutters, a mother of a child with communication and health issues, and as a speech-language pathologist working with families. At times, my daughter felt her needs weren’t as important as our son’s because we spent so much time going to his appointments and working with him at home. I worked with a child who was nonverbal whose sibling stopped talking because he, too, wanted to go to “speech class” and play fun games. Allowing the sibling to be “part of the team” and participate in sessions can help alleviate feelings of helplessness, frustration, and even jealousy about getting left out. Make it fun Sibling participation can also motivate—and make sessions or home activities more fun for—the child receiving services. When including siblings in sessions, I use a talking stick, a microphone, or even a stuffed animal for children to hold. These props let them know when they ...
Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Press Releases - Category: Speech-Language Pathology Authors: Tags: Health Care Private Practice Schools Slider Speech-Language Pathology Autism Spectrum Disorder Early Intervention Fluency Disorders Language Disorders Source Type: blogs