IS YOUR CHILD’S SPEECH THERAPY THE RIGHT FIT?

Speech therapy should feel like progress not pressure. In this guide, you’ll learn five signs of meaningful, child-centered speech therapy and what to do if something doesn’t feel right.

NOT EVERY THERAPIST IS THE RIGHT FIT AND THAT’S OKAY

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is my child’s speech therapist the right fit?” you’re not alone.  Speech therapy can look very different depending on where it takes place, who provides it, and how your child learns best. 

Some therapists use table-top drills and flashcards.  Others use play, connection, and everyday routines.  The key isn’t about one method being “right” or “wrong.”  It’s about finding the right fit for your child’s personality, goals, and learning style.

Signs Your Child’s Speech Therapy  Is The Right Fit

1️⃣ Your child feels comfortable and safe

Children can’t learn when they’re anxious or overwhelmed.  When a speech therapist takes time to build trust, follow your child’s leads, and celebrate small wins, it’s a strong sign you’re in the right place.  The best speech therapy sessions feel calm, playful, and pressure-free because that’s when real communication growth happens.

2️⃣ Sessions include play and connection

Speech therapy should look like fun because it truly is! Whether it’s bubbles, toy animals, or a favorite book, play gives children a natural way to explore sounds, words, and communication.  The best speech therapy sessions include laughter, engagement, and even silliness because that’s when real speech and language growth begin to bloom.

3️⃣ The therapist includes you

You should always understand what’s happening in your child’s speech therapy and why. The best speech therapists take time to explain what they’re working on, how you can help support progress at home, and show you how progress is measured over time.  When parents feel informed and empowered, children thrive.  Open communication and collaboration between therapist and family aren’t “extras.”  They’re essential parts of ethical, effective, and meaningful speech therapy.

4️⃣ Progress is meaningful, not just measurable

Every child’s communication journey looks different.  Sometimes progress means more words; other times it means less frustration, better attention, or new ways to connect.  A great speech therapist celebrates all forms of communication including gestures, sounds, AAC, and scripts.  Every way a child expresses themselves matters.  That’s what true child-centered speech therapy looks like.

5️⃣ Your speech therapist sees your child’s strengths

Speech therapy shouldn’t focus only on “fixing.”   It should highlight what your child already does naturally.  The best speech therapists notice your child’s curiosity, humor, creativity, and kindness.  When therapy builds on those strengths, your child feels seen, confident, and ready to shine in every way.

WHEN SOMETHING DOESN’T FEEL RIGHT

If speech therapy ever starts to feel stressful, or your child consistently resists sessions, it’s worth checking in. Sometimes all it takes is a small change in the frequency, setting, or approach to make things feel better.

Here are some helpful questions to ask your therapist:

• “What’s our main communication goals right now?”

• “How can we make sessions feel more playful and motivating for my child?”

• “Can I observe or record a session so I can understand what’s happening?”

A great speech therapist welcomes those questions and collaborates with you to find solutions together. Therapy should always feel safe, supportive, and centered around your child’s needs.

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR CHILD IS IN A HIGH-VOLUME CLINIC MODEL

Sadly, not every speech therapy setting puts the child first.  In some high-volume clinics, sessions are shortened, stacked back-to-back, or run by rotating staff who barely know the child.  Families are rushed in and out, and therapy starts to feel more like a checklist rather than a connection.

When therapy becomes about quotas instead of quality, children lose the consistency and trust they need to grow.  True progress doesn’t happen in fifteen minutes of drill.   It happens through play, patience, and relationships built over time.  That’s what ethical, child-centered care is all about, honoring each family’s time, values, and unique journey. Every child deserves space to be seen, supported, and heard.

The Speechie Auntie Difference

Unlike high-volume clinics that rotate therapists, rush sessions, and rely on drill-based worksheets, Speechie Auntie takes a relationship-first approach to speech therapy.

Therapy happens where your child feels safe, calm, and confident, right at home. Sessions are never rushed or one-size-fits-all.  Instead, they are play-based, child-led, and deeply personalized to your child’s interests, needs, and communication style.

I take the time to truly get to know your child,  what motivates them, what helps them regulate, how they connect, and how they learn best.  Every activity is intentionally selected to build real communication skills through joy, connection, and meaningful interactions.  No drill for drill’s sake.  No pressure.  No assembly-line therapy.

When children feel seen, supported, and understood is when language truly grows.

READY TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT?

If you’ve been wondering whether your child’s current speech therapy approach is truly meeting your needs or you’re simply ready to try something that feels more connected, let’s talk.  Together, we’ll help your little one find their voice, right at home.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO NAVIGATE THIS ALONE

Not all therapy is created equal and your child deserves support that feels safe, joyful, and personalized.  If you’ve been wondering whether there’s a better fit out there, there is.  Let’s talk about what speech therapy could look like when your child is truly seen.