Over the years, I have spoken with many parents who are fierce advocates for their children. Some of them have children with significant needs who will likely require years of therapy; others have children with more mild difficulties who don’t qualify for services. Despite the difference in the severity of their disabilities, the importance of intervention is the same to both of these children. They each deserve to reach their full potentials.
It is ironic that the child who is less disabled is the most likely to fall through the cracks, yet I’ve seen this very thing occur time and again. Parents and professionals are often frustrated when a child performs too well on a test to qualify for services, despite the clear need. Some children test well, but are functionally behind in their communication skills, to the detriment of their social and cognitive development.
Because the work we do at Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic is free of charge, we do not have the same qualifying requirements as other agencies. This allows us to look at the child as a whole, and regardless of whether or not they meet certain criteria or receive a certain score on a test, we can provide therapy that makes a difference in their lives.
I encourage all caregivers who may have questions about their child’s speech and language skills to give us a call. We are happy to meet with you and find out what we can do to help. Because every child has the right to find their voice and reach their full potential
