In a cozy room at the Greater Richmond ARC, five-year-old Becky and her speech therapist are playing a word game. Her father Jose and translator Rene Fagalde are also present.
“What do cows drink?”asks Stephanie, the speech therapist. “Milk,” comes the reply.
“What does a red light mean?”Stop,” says Becky.
Since beginning speech therapy at ARC when she was three, Becky has come a long way. And one thing that has helped is the presence of Fagalde, who interprets the therapist’s questions for Becky’s dad, who does not speak English.
About 12 percent of ARC’s Infant and Child Development Services program clientele are Spanish-speaking or come from families where English is a second language, so the services of a translator like Rene is important. At ARC it is a courtesy service provided at no charge, and an integral part of a child’s therapy. For Becky and her family, speech therapy is a life saver. “What I respect most about ARC is their sensitive approach to helping my daughter,” said Jose through the translator, noting her incredible improvement. Becky can now speak in full sentences.
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