hello _
does any one know of a good speech therapist for kids in /around Zurich?

my son is five and half and speaks /understand english pretty well,even though thats not his mother tongue.
\but when he speaks ,it is not easy to understand ,especially since he is always very excited and talks very fast.

it is difficult for others to understand him, eevn though my wife and I undrstand him pretty well.
Same is the case when he is speaking in our mother tongue.People find it difficult to follow him.

we were hoping that slowly wth time he will improve and may be he is improving...But I am worried and just want to get an experts opinion
to make sure he is ok or he gets help early enough .

http://www.thelearningroom.org/speec...therapy-autism

I have not used these people so cannot tell you anything about them at all, but recalled having seen their website when searching for a therapist for my son.

(Despite the web address, I believe they cover many conditions and do not limit themselves to autism.)

Cant you ask the kindergarten teacher? They usually have a list of "Locopädin" in your area.

Kindergarten kids also get tested twice during their kindergarten years in the Swiss school system (in Aargau anyway). I think there is also a teacher in the regular school that helps kids as well. It seems many kids in the Swiss system go to extra speech therapy.

Yes obviously - to echo Rangatiranui, use your school therapist if your child is in local school (they are funded by the Gemeinde so even if your child is not in a public school, speech therapy should be covered if your child is of school age).

I understood however (and probably wrongly) that you were after a therapist in English. A therapist must assess/give treatment in a language they have been trained in. I know this not just because I have been advised as much but because we had an unsatisfactory experience with a Swiss trained therapist who, although spoke good English, was definitely not performing as she should when trying to give therapy in English.

My son has been seeing a speech therapist for 2 years 2x a week, and if Zurich is anything like Lausanne, there are too many children with speech problems, and not enough therapists.
I would suggest you talk directly to your pediatrician. He/she will have a list of therapists in your area already, may even know some personally, and will help make the phone calls to get you an intial assessment to see if he actually needs a therapist. Or he/she can help you go directly through your child's school. Once the pediatrician is involved, they can usually get this to go quicker, than without. If you find a private therapist, he has to be aproved for the number of sessions per week by the city (I think) but it will be paid for 100%.

Not so straight forward in this Canton. It must be in German and the therapist must be on the approved Cantonal list (which not all private therapists are).

You might get assistance from your health insurance (we did) but again only at the approved Cantonal rate for speech therapy (and usually private therapists charge more - in our case twice the going rate!!)

I have the same with my son, I went first to his Dr, he was assessed and then given an appointment at the Kinderspital, where he was assessed for his speech and hearing. Only then could I get an appointment for a therapist - and I was on a fast track! the first appointment they wanted to give me was in April!

When I called the speech therapist directly they would not give me an appointment until I had been in touch with the Dr and had an assesment.
It is a process, but you cant speed it up! I tried. His original appointment at the Dr was in November, and the Hospital mid December, and his first appointment at the speech therapist is in February!

Good luck and be a little pushy!

In Zrh, there is 2 ways of going by for therapy.
You can call the Kinderspital (as explained above) and your child will be tested. They do speak English at the Kinderspital, and also the testing can be done in English - if that is what you want.

Then of course you can do it privately. The initial assesment costs a lot of money (not covered, must be settled privately) - guess CHF1000+-. but not sure, all different. And if you then wish to continue this route, then it is not covered by your kanton etc. The Kantons always says that they provide free therapy in German, anything other than that must be funded privately.

I know a very good (private English )therapist in Zrh, in Wollishofen. Can highly recommend her.
PM me if you wish to have her details. She is English and has been a star in our lives!

Good luck!

my daughther goes in Luzern. We first asked her doctor, she then send us to get tested and then we got a letter send about what can be done. She nows goes 2x a week and it is paid by the city.
Your best bet is to go and talk to your doctor first and see what they say, if they are not sure ask them to refer you to someone (thats what we did).

good luck

thanks a lot for all the advice.
We definately want the therapy from some one who can do English.
We will start with the pediatrician and see what he can suggest. Any how as we are moving to a new area (Adliswil), need to check what is offered as to support him in the new kindergarten there.

Will keep you posted.

I am not a voice therapist but I am a voice coach and have taught clients of all ages. My background is in theatre and speaking for the stage. Lately, I have been teaching a lot of singing lessons as I sing as well. I have also been coaching IB students and business people for presentations. I am Canadian and a native English speaker. I have four children of my own. We have just moved here from Moscow. I would be happy to do a trial lesson with you and your son. We could start with a half hour - 45 min session and see how it goes. Please let me know if you are interested. 079 871 55 22