Growing demand for pediatric speech therapy among children.
A recent national poll conducted by the American speech language-Hearing Association (ASHA) sheds light on the experiences of audiologists and speech language pathologists working with children aged birth to 5 years. The findings reveal a substantial increase in referrals for concerns related to hearing, speech, and language delays or disorders over the past two years, coinciding with the transformative impact of the ongoing pandemic on the lives of young children. Additionally, among speech language pathologists, a staggering 84% report encountering more children with emotional or behavioral difficulties, while 79% note an increase in children with delayed language or diagnosed language disorders. Furthermore, 78% report a rise in children exhibiting social communication difficulties compared to the period before the pandemic. These statistics highlight the multifaceted challenges faced by professionals in the field and emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions and support to address the evolving needs of children in their crucial developmental years.
The notable cost associated with engaging in pediatric speech therapy.
However, The cost of pediatric speech therapy can fluctuate, with a speech language evaluation generally ranging from $150 to $400, and a half hour pediatric speech therapy session typically priced between $65 and $175. These figures are subject to considerable variation based on factors such as geographical location and the expertise of the therapist. The determination of the number of sessions required hinges on the individual's progress and response to treatment, highlighting the personalized nature of pediatric speech therapy plans.Moreover, Insurance coverage tends to be more readily available for patients facing acute illnesses or injuries. For instance, health insurance commonly covers pediatric speech therapy for situations such as a baby born with a cleft lip or an individual experiencing speech impairment due to a stroke. However, the scenario shifts when dealing with developmental or chronic disorders. In such cases, insurance coverage may be more restricted, with certain policies opting not to cover pediatric speech therapy for long-term conditions, either indefinitely or in some instances, not at all. This discrepancy in coverage highlights the challenges individuals with developmental or chronic disorders may encounter in accessing necessary and sustained pediatric speech therapy services through their insurance plans.
Why does pediatric speech therapy come with a higher price tag?
The longstanding shortage of special educators like speech language pathologists has seen some states scrambling to offer fast-track programs to produce qualified professionals to fill the gap. Highlighting the prevailing shortfall in speech language pathologists, the National Coalition on Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services revealed a disconcerting trend with a significant 54% shortage within their school environments, underscoring the critical need for addressing this gap in professional resources. Notably, the western region of the United States has particularly severe speech language pathologist shortages. This data underscores the urgent need for increased personnel in the specialised field of speech language pathology, emphasising the necessity of addressing these shortages to ensure comprehensive support for students with communication disorders. In alignment with the findings of the National Coalition, the role of a speech language pathologist becomes pivotal in bridging these gaps and providing essential therapeutic interventions for children facing speech and language challenges in educational settings.
In this article from Meghan Whittaker, A prominent contributor to the US Department of Education Blog, special educators play a crucial role in the nation's public schools, providing essential support to students with diverse needs. However, the educational landscape faces a significant challenge, with 45% of schools reporting vacancies in special education roles and a striking 78% encountering difficulties in hiring special education staff. The shortage of special education teachers has been an enduring issue in many states, exacerbated further by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, deepening the strain on an already stretched system.
The shortage of special educators including speech language pathologists negatively impacts three areas namely, the morale of teachers who have to take on more workload to fill in the gap, the quality of education and support for students with special needs, and the productivity of the families involved.
The scarcity of speech language pathologists in the country stems from a combination of limited openings in graduate programs and the escalating demand for speech language pathologists, driven by an expanding scope of practice, increasing rates of autism, and a growing aging population.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revealed a concerning escalation in the prevalence of autism among children, as outlined in two new reports—one centered on 8-year-olds and another on 4-year-olds. According to the findings, the CDC determined that 1 out of every 36 children is now diagnosed with autism, marking a notable increase from the 2021 estimate of 1 in 44 children. This latest statistic represents a significant surge compared to the prevalence of 1 in 110 children reported in 2006. The data underscores the growing rates of autism and emphasizes the pressing need for continued research, awareness, and support to address the evolving landscape of developmental disorders in the pediatric population.
Schools, in particular, bear the brunt of this shortage, facing challenges in attracting and retaining speech language pathologists. To address this issue, potential solutions include the exploration of expanded graduate school options and the consideration of alternative staffing approaches, such as the use of teletherapy services or speech language pathologists . A crucial facet in mitigating this shortage involves recognizing the pivotal role of speech language pathologists in school settings. Typically licensed by state health boards and, at times, by state Departments of Education, certified by the American speech language-Hearing Association, and equipped with Master's degrees in communicative disorders, school-based speech language pathologists play a vital role in supporting students with speech and language challenges.
PenguinSmart's affordable and effective home-based pediatric speech therapy solutions
PenguinSmart has emerged as a compelling and affordable solution for parents seeking pediatric speech therapy for their children. By empowering parents to actively participate in and accelerate their children's speech and language development at home, PenguinSmart offers a digital, parent-centered training program. This innovative approach has proven successful in guiding parents through effective strategies, enabling them to play a crucial role in their children's developmental milestones. PenguinSmart's emphasis on home-based learning not only provides convenience but also addresses the pressing need for accessible and cost-effective pediatric speech therapy options, making it a valuable choice for families seeking comprehensive support.
PenguinSmart's advocacy: empowering parents to bridge gaps in special education support
Empowering parents as active participants in their children's development journey by analyzing past successes, utilizing available tools, and designing future-focused plans is an innovative way to design IEPs and solve the shortage of special educators, according to Amy Kwok, founder of PenguinSmart.
“We empower parents and teachers to collaborate with skilled therapists and language coaches, creating personalized lesson plans that seamlessly align with each child's IEP. The beauty lies in the flexibility of these plans, as they can adapt and evolve alongside a child's progress. Despite staffing challenges, we ensure that every child continues to receive tailored instruction and support,” said Kwok.She said that while the shortage of speech language pathologists for in-person services is a pressing issue, traditional teletherapy alone falls short, especially for young children. “To bridge this gap, we collaborate with school districts, regional centers, and preschools to offer personalised one-to-one support for preschooler families. Our approach involves integrating family assessments and IEPs into home routines, ensuring comprehensive support and development,” Kwok noted.
Data-driven approach to offer tailor-fitted teaching and learning
PenguinSmart embraces a data-driven approach to gain valuable insights and promote collaboration.
“By analyzing relevant data, we uncover valuable information that informs our strategies and interventions. For example, we found out that through integrating effective communication techniques into daily life, we saw accelerated and sustained improvement in children, surpassing the progress achieved through weekly pediatric speech therapy alone (in some cases 2-3 times faster),” said Kwok.
As a result of giving parents active participation in their child's development and offering tailored lessons and activities through PenguinSmart's data analytics, working parents of children with special needs will be more productive. "Employers that make an effort to accommodate the needs of their employees can create a more positive work environment that encourages productivity," she noted.If you know someone who could benefit from this valuable information and the services PenguinSmart provides, don't hesitate to share this article with them. Together, we can make a positive impact on the lives of children in need of pediatric speech therapy. Reach out to PenguinSmart at outreach@mypenguinsmart.com or our website https://www.mypenguinsmart.com/ to discover how we can assist you.
About PenguinSmart
Digital solutions for parent-centered speech and language intervention.
Founded by Harvard & MIT alumni, PenguinSmart combines the latest data sciences with expert insights to empower parents to become a key part of their children's development journey. By helping families effectively integrate communication techniques into daily life, we see children show faster improvement compared to relying on weekly clinical sessions alone (in some cases 2-3x faster). We have already served English & Mandarin-speaking families from over 35 cities around the world. PenguinSmart is an Alchemist Accelerator-backed company and was nominated for the IFAH global "Top 100 Healthcare Visionaries" award.
Our Core Service
Customized Parent Coaching - a comprehensive 12-15 weeks family coaching program that involves customized training plans for how parents engage the child at home to stimulate communication development; caregiver training, 1:1 consultations with SLP and coaching team, on-demand online assistant support and personal progress tracking platform