Tips for parents

We have gathered here some tips for parents about ways that have helped children or young people, who have situational difficulties in speaking.

Would you like to share a tip? Send your ideas to us: info (at) puheeksi.fi

• Be in contact with adults who work with your child before they meet

• Invite children and adults to your home

• Go along to school, hobbies, and friends’ houses

• Get help as soon as it’s needed

• Trust your instincts

• Search for hobbies that your child enjoys

• Focus on positive things

• Take care of yourself and your ability to cope

Be in contact with adults who work with your child before they meet

I have sent to teachers in charge of hobbies emails in which I explain how to begin meeting an SM child: chat but do not ask direct questions. I have asked to chat with the teacher before the hobby begins and others arrive so to anticipate what will happen during that session of the hobby. Knowing what will happen beforehand is a great help.

We have always been in contact as actively as possible with adults in kindergarten, school teachers, those in charge of hobbies, and friends’ parents. I have told about situational difficulties in speaking as clearly and openly as possible. Openness and active contact have worked well: many teachers and friends’ parents have been very sympathetic, have discussed situational difficulty in speaking with their children and encouraged other children to invite my child to their games.

School begins soon and on request, the teacher visited our home. We have also visited the school three times to get to know the teacher, curator and psychologist. In addition, we attended a health check. The last time we visited the curator, I asked if we could play a game in the class. It was a good idea. The teacher also agreed to play Uno during her home visit.

Invite children and adults to your home

From a young age, we have invited our child’s friends and acquaintances to our home to play. At first, the parent was often the child’s voice, telling what the child thought and what the child liked, and simultaneously helping to decide what to do and play, to ensure my child knew what to do.

We have had many teacher home visits, when the teacher got to know my child’s particular interests, real personality, and the child has been able speak even a little bit with the teacher. Playing different board games has also worked well. The clear rules of these games are calming, along with the repetition of familiar actions and my child has relaxed and often tell jokes. My child also likes activity games.