When choosing a speech-language pathologist for your child, first and foremost, make sure that they are certified. Those CCC’s indicate the Certificate of Clinical Competence, graduation from an accredited program and a Masters level education. As a student Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) will complete placements and be evaluated on core competencies and they will have passed the PRAXIS examination. Then, the SLP will spend approximately 9 months in a Clinical Fellow position. They are supervised by an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist during that time. At the successful completion of the Clinical Fellowship Year, the SLP can be awarded the Certificate of Clinical Competence and is able to work independently.
What should you consider when choosing a speech therapy program?
- The program should be child-focused and family-centered.
- Does the practice consider your family’s cultural values and traditions?
- Your input should be included and a part of the evaluation.
- Convenience and privacy are also very important.
- When you visit a practice think about the feeling you get, the interaction between staff and ask about how they get their continuing education.
- If your child is being seen by a Clinical Fellow (Provisional License), ask to meet their supervisor.
- Is the use of evidence-based practices paramount in formulating your child’s plan of care and therapy sessions.
- Are there options for in-person (face-to-face) visits and virtual therapy visits? What is the platform used for virtual visits?
- What are the COVID-19 procedures that are being followed for in-person visits?
Would you like to talk to someone at Speech Connections to find out if our facility is a good match for your child?
Please call (804-672-8588) or contact us. We look forward to scheduling a time for you to visit our facility or a virtual visit.