How can a Speech and Language Pathologist help a child with ADHD?
Image by @joshapplegate by Unsplash
In Australia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 1 in every 20 individuals. We know that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects males and females across different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. As awareness increases, early identification and diagnosis has lead to an improved understanding of what supports can help an individual to thrive.
So how a speech pathologist can support your child with ADHD?
Well, research indicates that a high proportion of children with ADHD experience differences that impacts communication. This may include their speech sounds, their expressive and receptive language skills and social communication skills. Speech pathologists are specialists in the area of communication and are therefore well placed to provide support in these essential areas of your child’s life.
Social Communication Skills
For many children with ADHD, engaging in social opportunities can prove challenging. Practising perspective-taking, maintaining attention, and reflective practice are important elements of positive interactions with peers. Additionally, sharing attention with others, staying on topic and engaging in conversational episodes require social processes that can be tricky to navigate. A speech pathologist can provide support for social communication skills by utilising approaches that celebrate your child's unique strengths.
Language
Difficulties with the expression of one’s thoughts and receiving information are commonly experienced by children with ADHD. Language difficulties can affect oral language, written expression, comprehension of what is being expressed by others as well as information gathered through reading. A speech pathologist can support improved oral language through increased exposure to meaningful vocabulary. Improved abilities to follow directions and understand both oral and written language can also be guided by a speech pathologist.
Reading and Writing
Success in reading and writing is linked closely to executive functioning skills. Children with ADHD commonly experience variable challenges with executive function skills and as such, experience difficulties in these academically linked abilities. A speech and language pathologist can evaluate your child’s reading and writing and identify areas where additional assistance would be helpful.
So as you can see, a speech pathologist can be a valuable member of your child’s team. They can investigate, diagnose and provide therapy for your child’s communication challenges. Through collaborative goal setting, a speech pathologist can support your child in achieving their communication goals through evidence-based therapies.
Author: Bec Broadfoot - Find out more about Bec Broadfoot here.
Speech and Language Pathologist
BEdPri, GradCertEd(Middle Schooling), GradCertEd(Career Development and Counselling), MSpPath CPSP