Information about speech therapy

Speech therapy can help children who have difficulty speaking, understanding speech or interacting with other people. The aim of speech therapy is to make it easier for children to communicate. Speech therapy can also help if a child has difficulty eating the same foods as other children of the same age.

These difficulties can have many different causes, and speech therapy may help. Many children attend speech therapy and benefit from it.

Speech therapy can help if a parent is concerned about the development of the child’s first language. A child does not need speech therapy if their first language is developing normally. Speech therapy is not intended to teach a child Finnish or Swedish or how to speak these languages correctly. If the child has difficulties in all the languages they use, a speech therapist can help the parents support the child’s language development.

If a child has difficulty pronouncing speech sounds in Finnish or Swedish, such as R or L, a speech therapist can help them practise producing these sounds. Speech therapists provide the same support to all children who have difficulty pronouncing a particular speech sound in Finnish or Swedish.

An important part of speech therapy is ensuring that the people around the child know how to help them practise. The speech therapist advises the family on how to promote the child’s language development and gives them exercises to do at home. The speech therapist often works with the child’s early education centre or school so that staff there can provide the child with appropriate support.

Speech therapy is free of charge for all children under the age of 18 who need it.

If staff at the maternity and child health clinic, your child’s early education centre or school notice that your child may benefit from speech therapy, they will refer the child for speech therapy. You will then be invited to an appointment with a speech therapist, either by phone or by letter. A referral is required to access speech therapy.

If you are concerned about your child’s language development, discuss your concerns at the maternity and child health clinic, your child’s early education centre or school. Tell the staff if you are concerned about any of the following:

• speech development
• unclear speech
• language development
• understanding spoken language
• interaction skills, meaning the ability to connect with other people
• stuttering
• difficulty pronouncing speech sounds
• difficulty eating the same foods as other children of the same age
• a hoarse or otherwise unusual voice

You can also contact the speech therapy service directly for advice. You will find the contact details for your municipality on the rehabilitation services for children and young people page.

The first appointment with a speech therapist is an assessment. During the appointment, the speech therapist assesses whether the child needs speech therapy and, if so, how long the therapy should continue. Sometimes, advice provided during a single telephone consultation or appointment is sufficient. In other cases, the speech therapist may work with the child and family over a longer period. The speech therapist discusses the child’s situation with the family and sets goals for the following appointments.

Children usually enjoy their appointments with a speech therapist. During speech therapy, the child practises language skills through activities, pictures and play.

The speech therapist gives the family exercises to do at home and advises the parents on how to practise them with their child. It is important that the parents attend the appointments and that the whole family is committed to the therapy. This helps the child develop their skills and benefit from speech therapy.

If you need an interpreter, the speech therapist can arrange for one to attend the appointment.

All children benefit from having their parents talk and read to them often. A child’s speech and language develop through interaction with other people. Children therefore need plenty of opportunities to talk with adults and other children.

It is important for children to develop a strong command of their first language. A strong foundation in their first language supports their language development and helps them learn other languages.

• Talk to your child often in your first language. Ensure that your child also has plenty of opportunities to talk with other adults and children.
• Speak calmly to your child. Use clear and simple sentences. Point to things and use facial expressions and gestures.
• Put into words what your child is pointing to or looking at, for example: “That’s a big car!”
• If your child says a word incorrectly, repeat the word correctly. Do not ask your child to repeat it. Hearing an adult say the word correctly is more helpful. Putting pressure on your child may make them afraid or reluctant to speak.
• Involve your child in everyday activities. Describe what you and your child are doing, for example: “I’m peeling an apple. You’re doing a great job cutting the banana.”
• Play with your child and talk together as you play.
• Read to or with your child in your first language. If you cannot find suitable books in your first language, look at pictures together and talk about them in that language.