Step 2: Getting Ready for Your First Speech Therapy Session
The first speech therapy session can bring up a mix of emotions. You may feel curious, hopeful, or even a little nervous. At OWLS Therapy, our goal is to make the transition into speech therapy a positive and supportive experience for your entire family. This guide explains how to prepare for your first session, so you know what to expect and feel confident every step of the way. If you haven’t already begun the evaluation process, we encourage you to read Step 1: Preparing for a Speech Therapy Evaluation, which walks you through what to do before your child’s evaluation and what to expect.
Speech therapy sessions are highly individualized and designed to meet each child where they are. Each session is shaped around your child’s age, skills, needs, and even how their day is going.
Some sessions are more structured, such as working at a table, while others, especially for younger children, are play-based. Play-based activities, often done on the floor, might include interacting with toys, reading books, singing songs, or engaging in movement. While it may look like “just play,” every activity is carefully chosen to support the child’s communication goals.
What Is the Goal of the First Speech Therapy Session?
The primary goal of the first session is connection. Your child’s speech-language pathologist (SLP) will focus on building rapport and creating a safe, engaging environment where your child feels comfortable.
During this first session, your child will not be pushed to perform specific skills. Instead, the SLP will begin introducing therapy routines, learning more about your child’s interests, and observing how they communicate within their natural environment. This helps lay the foundation for a positive and successful therapy experience.
How Do I Prepare My Child?
We recommend preparing your child in a simple, positive way. You might say something like: "You’re going to play with a new teacher! She’ll bring some toys and you can show her your favorites."
Some children benefit from visuals, such as seeing a picture of their speech therapist ahead of time. Therapist photos are available on our website and can help your child feel more familiar before the session.
Another helpful strategy is using social stories. Social stories are short, descriptive narratives that include pictures and explain what will happen during a visit in a step-by-step way. Here is a social story about speech therapy that may help your child feel more confident before their session.
Getting Ready for a Successful Session
To start, it helps to make sure your child’s basic needs are met so they’re ready to focus.This could include giving them a small snack, making sure they’re hydrated, or letting them move around first, like going outside, to release extra energy.
As mentioned in Step 1, preparing the environment can be very helpful, too. This might look like:
Keep your child’s favorite toy, book, or comfort item nearby—something that helps them feel secure, like a stuffed animal or blanket.
Prepare a dedicated space for activities, whether at the table or on the floor, so your child can focus without distractions.
Let your child pick an activity for the session, giving them a sense of control and increasing engagement.
Our goal is for your child to enter the session ready to engage!
Do I Participate in the Session?
You are an incredibly important part of your child’s therapy team. Depending on what works best for your child and your family, you may be invited to observe the session or actively participate in activities alongside your child.
During sessions, your therapist may explain their approach, model communication strategies, and share ideas you can use at home. Therapy is most effective when families feel informed, involved, and confident carrying skills into everyday life.
Depending on your child’s needs and your family dynamic, siblings or other caregivers may be invited to join the session or step out. Our priority is creating a calm, supportive environment where your child can stay focused, comfortable, and fully engaged. We’ll work with you to find the setup that best supports your child’s success. Let the fun and learning begin!
Session Wrap Up
At the end of each session, your therapist will set aside time for a brief wrap-up. During this time, they may share observations, highlight what went well, offer strategies or activities to try at home, and answer any questions you may have.
In addition to this verbal summary, you’ll receive a session note via email so you can review what was worked on and track progress over time. Therapists may also provide handouts, follow-up emails with education, or other resources to support your child’s goals.
Before wrapping up, your therapist will confirm the next session. From there, therapy continues weekly with the same recurring time slot. Let the fun and learning begin!
Searching for Speech Therapy Near Me?
Contact Us for a Free Child Development Consultation! Our professionals will determine if an evaluation is recommended and provide answers to all your questions. We’re committed to guiding your child’s growth and success.