It’s not unusual for children with speech and language disorders to exhibit behavioral issues in the classroom and elsewhere. Lacking communication skills can be frustrating for children because they may not have the ability to express themselves appropriately. Some children have tantrums, avoidance behaviors or become defiant when something is not going their way. It is important as parents/ care givers to speak to our children’s teachers, therapist’s and other health professionals when certain behaviors get in the way of social and academic settings.
Here are a few things YOU can do to help your child’s behavioral issues:
DURING SCHOOL:
Talk to your child’s teacher! Do you know the cause of the problem? If the teacher has arranged a meeting with you to discuss your child’s behavior in the classroom, please attend. When the teacher takes time to meet with you it is definitely in your child’s best interest. Ask the teacher questions. Asking questions will help you gain a better understanding of what is happening with your child’s behavior. For instance, ask the teacher what it is that he/she is doing in the classroom to improve your child’s behavior. This way you and the teacher can ally and have a behavior management system that the child can recognize even at home when behavioral problems arise.
DURING THERAPY:
Has your child’s behavior affected his/her progress in speech therapy? Talk to the therapist. As therapists, it is part of our job to help dissolve problematic behavior, otherwise it may hinder the clients progress. Just like a teacher should, the therapist should come to you and let you know if your child is exhibiting any behavior issues during therapy. If you have already spoken to your child’s teacher about misbehavior, tell the therapist what is going on at school. Working together to tackle the behavioral issue your child is having will help smooth out the misbehavior overtime. It may take some time for your child to get used to behavior-management strategies, but it will greatly benefit your child.
If you or someone you know needs the services of a licensed and certified speech-language pathologist, please be sure to discuss your concerns with a physician, a speech-language pathologist, or another qualified provider. You can also find a provider through the ASHA ProFind service or visit us at www.bilingualspeech.org for more information. NOTE: This article is intended only as a general source of information, i.e, it is not intended to replace information given to you by a qualified health professional that is familiar with your particular circumstances. Lastly, if you have an urgent medical need, please seek immediate medical attention.