Speech therapy
What is speech and language therapy?
Speech and language therapy is medical rehabilitation that can support communication, interaction and the development of speech and language.
The aim of speech therapy is to strengthen the client's functional ability and participation in their own everyday life. The work always starts from what is meaningful for this particular client: how they make themselves understood, how they understand others, and how they can take part in their own everyday situations.
Goals are always defined individually together with the client and their family. The working methods are also chosen case by case — not every client needs, or is given, the same methods.
When can speech therapy help?
Speech therapy can support a client when they find the following difficult, for example:
- understanding speech
- producing speech
- developing vocabulary and language skills
- interaction
- taking the initiative in communication
- clarity of speech
- augmentative and alternative ways of communicating
- communicating in everyday situations
Where does speech therapy take place?
At the moment, speech therapy at Sensis Terapia takes place in the client's everyday environments and as remote therapy. Therapy in everyday surroundings makes it possible to practise goals in exactly those situations where communication skills are genuinely needed.
In everyday environments
At home
Therapy can take place in the client's home, so that the skills being practised connect directly to familiar everyday life.
At daycare
Therapy at the daycare centre makes it possible to practise communication in group situations that matter to the child.
At school
At school, goals can be practised as part of real interaction and learning situations.
Remote therapy
Speech therapy can also be provided remotely, depending on the client's situation and suitable practical arrangements.
Therapy room
Sensis Terapia's therapy premises at Laivastokatu 4, Helsinki.
When speech alone is not enough
Not every client communicates mainly, or in every situation, through speech. In speech therapy we can strengthen the client's possibilities to express themselves and take part in interaction also with augmentative and alternative means of communication.
- pictures
- supporting signs
- communication folders
- communication boards
- communication apps
- communication devices
- other AAC methods suited to the client
The methods are always chosen individually — not every method is used with every client. The aim is to find ways that work for this client to express themselves, be understood and take part in interaction.
Multilingualism as part of everyday life
I work with multilingual clients and families in many different situations. Speech therapy can take the client's whole language and communication environment into account, as well as the ways the people around them can support communication in everyday life. A child growing up with several languages does not need to give up the family's own language because of speech therapy — your home language is valuable.
The languages of service at Sensis Terapia are Finnish and English.
Working together with the people around the client
Speech therapy takes place in close cooperation with the client's everyday environment. In children's rehabilitation this means working with parents and other family members as well as with the daycare centre or school. Where needed, the work is multiprofessional cooperation with the client's other rehabilitation, care and professional network. The aim is to help the skills practised in therapy transfer into everyday life.
Parents and family
Together we consider how the skills being practised show up at home and in ordinary everyday moments.
Daycare
With early childhood education we agree on shared ways of supporting the child's participation in the group.
School
Working together with the school helps transfer skills into learning situations and friendships.
Other rehabilitation and care network
Where needed, the work is multiprofessional cooperation with the client's other rehabilitation, care and professional network.
How can you come to therapy?
You can come to speech therapy, for example, with a decision on Kela's demanding medical rehabilitation, with a payment commitment or a service voucher, or as an insurance-funded or self-paying client. Do ask about availability and about the different payment options.
Ask about availabilityFAQ
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the questions families most often think about at the beginning of the speech therapy process.
How does the speech therapy process begin?
It starts with getting in touch and talking about what you would like to support in everyday life. After that we agree on a meeting where we get to know each other and look at the current situation together with the client and their family.
Is a referral or payment commitment needed?
It depends on how the therapy is funded. Speech therapy provided as Kela rehabilitation always requires a rehabilitation decision, while self-funded therapy can be started directly. If you are unsure, please just ask.
How are the goals of therapy decided?
Goals are always defined individually together with the client and their family, and they are based on real everyday situations. Goals are reviewed along the way if everyday needs change.
Do parents take part in therapy sessions?
In children's rehabilitation, parents' involvement is planned according to the child's age and needs. Some sessions may be one-to-one with the child, and afterwards we go through what was practised and how you can continue at home.
Do we need to practise at home?
Skills grow strongest in everyday life, so small repeated moments at home matter. We plan the exercises together so that they fit into an ordinary day without becoming a burden.
Do you work together with daycare or school?
Yes, with the permission of the client or guardian. Cooperation with early childhood education, school and the wider rehabilitation network helps transfer practised skills into group situations and learning.
How long does therapy last?
The length varies according to needs and goals, and it cannot be estimated in advance at a general level. The situation and the need to continue are reviewed together on a regular basis.
How is information about the client handled?
The therapist is bound by confidentiality and by the statutory obligation to keep patient records. Data protection practices are described in more detail in the privacy section of this website (in Finnish).