Does My Child Need Speech & Language Therapy?
Pediatric speech and language therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on addressing communication and speech-related challenges in children. It encompasses various aspects, including speech sound production, language development, fluency, voice, and social communication skills. Not all children develop speech and language skills at the same pace, but there are certain signs that may indicate your child could benefit from speech and language therapy. If you observe any of the following, consider consulting with a speech-language therapist:
Articulation
Focusing on clear pronunciation and mastering age-appropriate speech sounds to improve overall speech clarity.
Fluency
Enhancing the smoothness and flow of speech while addressing disruptions such as stuttering.
Social Communication
Building skills for non-verbal communication, understanding social cues, and developing friendships.
Feeding and Swallowing
Supporting safe feeding including breast and bottle feeding, oral motor skills, and introducing new foods.
Expressive & Receptive Language
Building vocabulary, forming sentences, and enhancing the ability to understand and use language effectively.
Augmentative & Alternative Communication
Introducing and developing AAC tools to support communication for children with limited verbal speech.
Developmental Milestones
Speech Sound Development
Ages
- 18 months: Uses a variety of sounds and begins to imitate words.
- 3 years: Should be mostly understood by family members.
- 5 years: Speech should be mostly clear and intelligible.
Language Development
Ages
- 12 months: Uses a few words and understands simple commands.
- 2 years: Begins combining words and using basic sentences.
- 4 years: Able to hold a conversation, ask questions, and use complex sentences.
- 6 years: Refines language skills, understands and uses more advanced vocabulary.
Fluency & Stuttering
Ages
- 2 to 5 years: Some disfluency (normal hesitations) is common.
- 6 years and older: Stuttering that persists may require intervention.
Social Communication
Ages
- 18 months to 2 years: Begins to engage in simple pretend play.
- 3 years: Shows interest in playing with other children.
- 5 years: Develops more complex friendships, understands and follows social rules.
4704 Harlan Street
Suite 200
Denver, CO 80212
Phone: (303) 433-0852
Fax: (303) 477-9223
Email: info@amaryllistherapy.net
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