When your child is struggling, knowing where to turn can feel overwhelming. Is it a speech issue? A behavior concern? Or both? Here’s a clear breakdown to help you determine the best support path for your child.
1. Start with the Primary Concern
Ask yourself: What’s the main challenge we’re seeing?
- Speech or Language Challenges look like difficulty talking, understanding words, following directions, social conversation struggles, or unclear speech sounds. In this case, Speech Therapy is the place to start.
- Behavior Challenges include tantrums, aggression, noncompliance, rigid routines, or trouble with emotional regulation. These are best addressed through Behavioral Therapy, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
2. Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Speech Therapy
Your child may need speech therapy if they:
- Have a limited vocabulary for their age
- Are hard to understand when they speak
- Struggle to combine words into sentences
- Have difficulty following simple directions
- Show trouble with conversation skills (like taking turns or staying on topic)
Speech Therapy Focuses On:
- Expressive language (using words and sentences)
- Receptive language (understanding others)
- Social/pragmatic language (conversation and play skills)
- Articulation (pronouncing words clearly)
3. Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy may be helpful if your child:
- Has frequent meltdowns that are hard to calm
- Displays aggression (like hitting or biting)
- Struggles with changes in routine
- Has severe tantrums that are beyond what’s expected for their age
- Has difficulty with focus, following rules, or impulse control
- Faces social challenges due to their behavior, not language
Behavioral Therapy Focuses On:
- Managing emotions
- Replacing problem behaviors with positive ones
- Building coping skills
- Encouraging flexibility and appropriate social behavior
4. When a Child Might Need Both
In many cases, challenges overlap. For example:
If your child acts out because they can’t express their needs, both therapies can help.
- Speech therapy builds the communication tools they need.
- Behavioral therapy teaches strategies for managing frustration and developing emotional regulation.
Children with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays often benefit from a combined approach. ABA, in particular, can support communication development even when extreme behaviors aren’t present.
Why an Integrated Approach Matters
At Integrity, we believe in a team-based model. Our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) work hand-in-hand to design therapy plans that are fully aligned.
With both services offered in one setting, children benefit from:
- Consistent communication between therapists
- Real-time collaboration during in-center ABA sessions
- A personalized, unified strategy for reaching goals
If you’re not sure which therapy is right for your child, we’re here to help you figure it out. The first step is understanding the root of the challenge—and then building the right support system to help your child thrive.
Want to learn more about how our team can support your child? Contact us today to get started.
By Kaelynn Brown, SLP, Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) work hand-in-hand to design therapy plans that are fully aligned.
With both services offered in one setting, children benefit from:
- Consistent communication between therapists
- Real-time collaboration during in-center ABA sessions
- A personalized, unified strategy for reaching goals
If you’re not sure which therapy is right for your child, we’re here to help you figure it out. The first step is understanding the root of the challenge—and then building the right support system to help your child thrive.