If a patient's communication skills have declined after graduating from SPEAK OUT!, what should be recommended?

Recommending additional therapy sessions is a proactive approach when a patient's communication skills have declined after completing SPEAK OUT!. This option recognizes that ongoing support may be necessary to reinforce the skills learned during the program and to provide targeted strategies to address specific challenges the patient is facing. Speech and communication skills can require continual practice and reinforcement; therefore, additional therapy can help the patient regain confidence and improve their abilities.

This approach allows for personalized attention from a speech-language pathologist who can assess the areas of difficulty and adapt the therapy to meet the patient's current needs. By doing so, they can implement new strategies or modify their existing techniques, catering specifically to any changes or hurdles the patient may be experiencing.

In contrast, immediate re-enrollment in SPEAK OUT! may not address the current level of need for the patient. Simply referring to a different provider could disrupt continuity of care or lead to additional costs without ensuring that the specific issues are properly addressed. Lastly, assuming no further action is needed overlooks the importance of monitoring and supporting communication skill improvement over time. Thus, ongoing therapeutic support is key in these situations.