Forte Speech & Language Therapy, a leading speech therapists clinic in Los Angeles, has released a comprehensive report highlighting the growing importance of strengths-based therapy as an approach in speech therapy treatment for children.
As the field of speech therapy continues to evolve, the clinic’s team of expert speech-language pathologists (SLPs) advocates for an approach that not only targets areas of need but also builds upon the unique strengths each child brings to the table.
The traditional focus of speech therapy has often been on identifying deficits in speech, language, and communication skills. However, as pediatric speech therapy continues to progress, there is a growing recognition that focusing on a child’s strengths can lead to more effective and meaningful outcomes.
What is Strengths-Based Therapy?
At its core, strengths-based therapy emphasizes building on a child's existing capabilities, rather than solely focusing on areas of challenge. "By harnessing the child’s strengths, we can create a strong foundation for addressing speech and language needs," said the team at Forte Speech & Language Therapy.
Rather than viewing speech therapy as a means to "fix" a child, the strengths-based approach encourages therapists to recognize and amplify the skills children already possess.
The approach is grounded in research and evidence-based practices that demonstrate the power of focusing on what’s working well.
This method, originally developed by American psychologist Donald Clifton in the 1950s, has transformed the therapeutic landscape across multiple disciplines, including speech therapy. Clifton’s work challenged the traditional focus on what was "wrong" with individuals, proposing instead that greater progress could be made by understanding and nurturing what was "right".
Principles of Strengths-Based Speech Therapy
The principles of strengths-based therapy, as outlined by Dr. Wayne Hammond, emphasize themes like the power of language, the inevitability of change, and the importance of collaborative relationships. These principles shape the work done at Forte Speech & Language Therapy, where each LA speech therapist tailors their approach to the unique needs and strengths of every child.
The three core elements of strengths-based therapy are:
A belief that individuals and their communities have their own set of strengths, even if they aren’t always immediately obvious
Exploring their strengths is a key factor for success in a therapeutic setting.
Collaborative, authentic relationships between therapist and child foster an environment where growth and development can thrive.
The Benefits of Strengths-Based Therapy
Forte Speech & Language Therapy has found numerous advantages to using this approach, both for the children they work with and their families.
Children are more likely to actively participate in therapy when they can see the value in their own progress. As a result, they tend to be more engaged. This on its own helps improve their communication skills. By focusing on multiple forms of communication, children develop more diverse ways to express themselves, from verbal speech to non-verbal and alternative methods like sign language or AAC devices.
Beyond this, it helps build greater confidence as children recognize their own abilities, which can have a lasting impact on their self-esteem and social interactions. That helps empower them to take more control of their communication development, fostering independence and self-advocacy.
The report, titled “What is Strengths-Based Speech Therapy?” is available on the clinic’s website.
Media Contact
Company Name: Forte Speech & Language Therapy
Contact Person: Kylie Puckett, MA, CCC-SLP
Email: Send Email
Phone: +1 (818) 208 0027
City: Los Angeles
State: California
Country: United States
Website: https://www.fortespeech.com/
