How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help My Child Learn to Read?

Learning to read is a complex process that involves a number of "building block" skills. It is very important to identify which skill or combination of skills need "fixing" in order for your child to read with ease and understanding. If your car doesn't run properly, for instance, you wouldn't change the spark plugs if the electrical system were at fault. Likewise, a reading problem requires careful diagnosis and an individualized plan of treatment. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), more commonly known as speech therapists, are specially trained in sound (phonological) awareness, spoken language, vocabulary development and understanding language, which are some of the important building block skills for reading.