A surge in speech and language issues
A recent national survey conducted by the American speech language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has shed light on the surge in referrals for hearing, speech, and language concerns over the past two years, coinciding with the transformative impact of the pandemic on young children's lives. A study in New South Wales (NSW) showed that approximately 13% of children attending primary and secondary schools have speech and language impairments.
Audiologists and speech language pathologists identified several factors contributing to the surge in referrals beyond backlogs. Chief among these is the constrained availability of opportunities for social interaction and play with peers, cited by 59% of professionals. Additionally, the lack of formal pre-K and daycare, coupled with limited interaction with outside adults, including childcare providers, preschool teachers, and extended family, is underscored by 57% of respondents. Moreover, 51% of professionals note that young children now allocate more time to screen-based activities and technology, such as tablets and smartphones.
On top of it, the impact of the pandemic on the field of speech language pathology is unmistakably profound. An overwhelming 84% of speech language pathologists have observed a notable increase in children grappling with emotional or behavioral difficulties. Furthermore, 79% of professionals report a surge in the number of children exhibiting delayed language development or diagnosed language disorders, indicating a significant shift in the linguistic challenges faced by young individuals. Additionally, 78% of speech language pathologists note an uptick in children experiencing social communication difficulties compared to the pre-pandemic period. These staggering statistics underscore the far-reaching consequences of the pandemic on the mental, linguistic, and social well-being of children, necessitating a comprehensive approach to address the evolving needs within the field.
In such circumstances, speech therapy for toddlers plays a crucial role in supporting children's growth by addressing various communication challenges. However, many families face significant barriers to accessing quality speech therapy for toddlers, primarily due to industry staff shortages.
In addition to expert shortages, The reluctance to engage in speech therapy for toddlers is often rooted in individuals' own perceptions of mental illness, which can hinder their acknowledgment of the issue, reluctance to seek help, and adherence to treatment. Studies reveal that the pervasive stigmas attached to mental illness, characterized by societal devaluation, disgrace, and disfavor, act as formidable barriers, impeding individuals from accessing much-needed treatment. The prospect of encountering discrimination within cultural, social, and professional spheres further deters individuals from pursuing therapy for toddlers. The fear that disclosing mental health struggles may lead to avoidance or altered treatment by family and friends, and concerns about potential adverse perceptions and treatment in the workplace, collectively contribute to the pervasive hesitancy surrounding mental health support. Addressing these entrenched stigmas is crucial to fostering a more supportive environment that encourages individuals to overcome these barriers and seek the help they need.
To address these challenges, PenguinSmart, a telehealth startup founded by Dr. Amy Kwok, is revolutionizing access to speech therapy for toddlers and enhancing its effectiveness. By harnessing the power of intelligent technology and adopting a family-centered telehealth approach, PenguinSmart aims to democratize high-quality speech therapy for toddlers, ensuring that every child has an opportunity to reach their full potential in life.
Accessing speech therapy for toddlers has traditionally been challenging, with rising staff shortages and long waitlists, alongside geographical constraints. PenguinSmart aims to break down these barriers by providing an innovative platform with remote telehealth services. Amy envisions a future where technology lightens the burden on health providers and systems, making high-quality care more accessible to a broader population.
Through PenguinSmart's platform, families can now connect with speech language pathologists from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for travel and expanding access to speech therapy for toddlers.
Empowering families in children's growth journey
Empowering parents and caregivers is one of PenguinSmart's key principles. The startup recognizes their essential role in the therapy process and provides them with the tools and resources to actively engage in therapy sessions. By identifying and addressing communication delays early. Identifying early signs of speech delays is crucial for effective intervention, but parents may find it challenging to discern typical developmental variations from potential issues. If a baby fails to respond to sound or vocalize, prompt medical evaluation is recommended. Parents should pay attention to specific milestones and consult their doctor if their child exhibits certain behaviors. By 12 months, concerns may arise if the child isn't using gestures like pointing or waving. By 18 months, a preference for gestures over vocalizations and difficulty imitating sounds might signal a delay. Trouble understanding simple verbal requests and limited spontaneous word or phrase production by age 2 should also be noted. Additionally, if a child exhibits an unusual tone of voice, struggles to follow directions, or has speech that is harder to understand than expected for their age, it's advisable to seek medical guidance. Understanding these developmental benchmarks and promptly addressing any concerns ensures early identification and appropriate support for children with speech or language delays.
PenguinSmart believes it can positively impact the lives of families and society as a whole, alleviating the pressure and isolation that often comes with caring for a developmentally delayed child. Equipped with expert insights and guidance, parents can make therapy an integral part of their child's daily life, extending the benefits beyond scheduled sessions.
Personalized speech therapy for toddlers through intelligent data sciences
At the core of PenguinSmart's approach is the integration of data sciences and expert knowledge. By leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning, the startup analyzes vast amounts of data to personalize speech therapy for toddlers. This intelligent approach allows for tailored interventions that address specific needs, leading to more effective therapy outcomes.
To empower parents in fostering positive developmental changes in their children, PenguinSmart has created innovative online parent training solutions. These programs allow parents to seamlessly incorporate targeted techniques into their daily interactions, fostering growth through each conversation and game. The transformative impact becomes evident day by day, not only in the child's progress but also in the parent's evolving skill set.
Maximizing outcomes with a collaborative approach
PenguinSmart's commitment to increasing the efficacy of speech therapy for toddlers sets it apart in terms of service quality. Through a family-centered model, the startup not only focuses on the child but also involves and educates the entire family. This collaborative environment enables therapists to act as guides or coaches, empowering families to actively participate in their loved one's daily rehab and significantly increasing their exposure to therapy.
Comprising a proficient team of speech language Pathologists (SLPs) and Early Intervention specialists, PenguinSmart offer personalized 1-on-1 consultations and oversight. Our experts guide parents in identifying effective strategies and tactics, providing continuous support throughout the program. Additionally, our team is equipped to assist bilingual families, with proficiency in both English and Chinese, ensuring that language is not a barrier to accessing speech therapy for toddlers.
By integrating the pediatric speech therapy goals into the everyday activities, PenguinSmart facilitates a child's progress and ensures long-lasting results.
PenguinSmart's dedication to innovation is an ongoing process. As the company serves families with developmentally delayed children, they continuously gather valuable insights and data. This information not only helps refine their current offerings but also serves as a foundation for developing tools and solutions that further empower speech language pathologists. By combining expertise with cutting-edge technology, PenguinSmart aims to advance the field of speech therapy for toddlers and drive positive change in the lives of individuals and families.
A recent report submitted to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists not only assessed the cost of services but also delved into the potential impact of speech and language therapy (SLT) services for various populations, including children with specific language impairment and autism, as well as adults with aphasia and dysphagia. The findings suggested a significant return on investment, indicating that for every £1 invested in enhanced SLT for children with specific language impairment, there was the potential to generate £6.43 through increased lifetime earnings. The annual net benefit was estimated to be substantial, amounting to £623.4 million in England, £36.1 million in Wales, £24.2 million in Northern Ireland, and £58 million in Scotland, as outlined in the study conducted by Marsh et al. in 2010. These figures underscore the economic value and societal benefits associated with prioritizing and investing in comprehensive speech and language therapy services.
Standing at the forefront of revolutionizing speech therapy by transforming access and effectiveness, PenguinSmart promises quality therapy accessible to all. By empowering parents and caregivers, leveraging intelligent data sciences, and fostering a collaborative environment, PenguinSmart is driving remarkable progress in speech therapy for toddlers and enabling a lasting impact on the lives of children with communication challenges. Reach out to PenguinSmart at outreach@mypenguinsmart.com or our website https://www.mypenguinsmart.com/ to discover how we can assist you.
About PenguinSmart
Digital solutions for parent-centered speech and language intervention.
Founded by Harvard & MIT alumni, PenguinSmart combines the latest data sciences with expert insights to empower parents to become a key part of their children's development journey. By helping families effectively integrate communication techniques into daily life, we see children show faster improvement compared to relying on weekly clinical sessions alone (in some cases 2-3x faster). We have already served English & Mandarin-speaking families from over 35 cities around the world. PenguinSmart is an Alchemist Accelerator-backed company and was nominated for the IFAH global "Top 100 Healthcare Visionaries" award.
Our Core Service
Customized Parent Coaching - a comprehensive 12-15 weeks family coaching program that involves customized training plans for how parents engage the child at home to stimulate communication development; caregiver training, 1:1 consultations with SLP and coaching team, on-demand online assistant support and personal progress tracking platform