When people think of speech therapy, they often picture words, articulation exercises, or maybe a child pointing to a picture card. But what many may not realize is that speech and language are deeply connected to the body’s ability to regulate and feel safe.
That’s why more and more speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are exploring the power of pediatric touch therapy as a supportive tool in their practice, and the results are inspiring.
Regulation First, Communication Follows
When a child is dysregulated, anxious, overwhelmed, overstimulated, or shut down, it becomes incredibly difficult to engage in communication, no matter how strong their speech skills are.
Touch therapy helps by:
- Calming the nervous system
- Supporting transitions between activities
- Reducing sensory overwhelm
- Creating a consistent, predictable routine
When a child is calm and feels safe in their body, they’re more available to listen, process, and express.
Supporting Non-Verbal Communication
Not all communication is spoken, and not all children are verbal. Pediatric touch therapy offers a shared language through sensation, helping children:
- Recognize emotional and sensory states
- Improve body awareness (which supports gestures, facial expressions, and AAC use)
- Strengthen trust and connection with their therapist
I’ve worked with SLPs who tell me that after even a few sessions integrating calming touch, their clients are more focused, more willing to engage, and more relaxed during articulation or oral-motor exercises.
Touch Therapy Applications
While pediatric massage focuses primarily on safe, non-invasive areas of the body (hands, feet, back, limbs), some SLPs use gentle facial and jaw massage techniques, with proper training, to support:
- Reduced oral defensiveness
- Relaxation of tight jaw and facial muscles
- Improved tone and mobility for feeding and speech
When done with care, consent, and the right approach, these techniques can complement traditional speech strategies and help children feel more comfortable using their mouths and voices.
Every Child is Different, and So Is Their Communication
As SLPs know better than anyone, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The same goes for touch therapy. Some children may need deep pressure. Others prefer light strokes. Some may only tolerate a few seconds at a time, and that’s okay.
The key is meeting the child where they are, reading their cues, and using touch to support the whole child, not just their ability to produce sounds.
Involving Families in the Communication Journey
To all the speech therapists using your voice to help children find theirs, touch therapy offers yet another powerful way to foster connection, calm, and confidence. By incorporating nurturing, regulated touch into the communication journey, you’re not only supporting the physical and emotional readiness of the child, but also creating opportunities for deeper, more meaningful engagement.
Touch therapy allows you to “speak” to the nervous system in a language children instinctively understand, one of safety, predictability, and trust. And in doing so, you’re helping lay the foundation for authentic communication, whether verbal or non-verbal, to naturally emerge and flourish.
