When Should I Seek a Speech Therapist for My Child?
As parents, you’re often attuned to your child’s developmental milestones and are quick to celebrate their progress. However, each child is different, and milestones are met at a variety of times depending on the person. If you’re wondering whether your child might benefit from a speech therapist, here are some signs and situations that might indicate it’s time to seek professional help. As speech therapists, if you’re still unsure, we always endorse getting an evaluation!
Delayed Speech Development
Children develop speech and language skills at their own pace, but general age-related benchmarks exist. For instance, most children begin speaking their first words by around 12 months and start combining words into 2-word phrases by 18-24 months. From the time they begin to speak, their vocabulary should grow and be consistent as they develop. A speech therapist can assess development and provide strategies and therapy if needed.
Difficulty Pronouncing Words (Phonological or Articulation/Speech Sounds)
If your child consistently mispronounces words or sounds in a way that affects their ability to be understood, it might be time to consult a speech therapist. While it’s normal for young children to have difficulty with specific sounds, persistent issues can benefit from professional intervention, significantly if they hinder effective communication. This Sound Acquisition chart we use to help guide therapy and an excellent family reference. At these ages, your child should have these sounds. A speech therapist can help with articulation and phonological processing skills.
Struggles with Understanding or Using Language (Expressive and Receptive Language)
Language development is not just about speaking but also about understanding and using language effectively. If your child has trouble following directions, comprehending simple stories, answering simple questions, or forming sentences, this could indicate a language delay or disorder. A speech therapist can evaluate their receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) language skills and provide strategies for and skilled therapy to address these deficits through play-based therapy.
Feeding issues or oral motor function
Feeding difficulties and oral motor function affect families daily when they sit down for meals. Many children struggle with picky eating, transitioning from a bottle to a cup or straw, or impaired oral motor function, leading to airway issues. Oral motor function is using the tongue, lips, and cheeks. To approach feeding, therapists use sensory approaches to help kids explore different foods and use exercises to improve oral function. An impaired oral motor function can be related to tongue ties, poor feeding (in babies, children, and adults), or impaired airway function. Therapists can guide you in finding the help you need.
Social Communication Challenges
Effective communication involves more than just talking; it includes understanding and using social cues, engaging in conversations, and expressing emotions appropriately. As your child gets older and experiences more interactions with peers and adults, observe if they struggle with certain aspects of social interaction, such as making eye contact, taking turns in conversation, or understanding social norms; speech therapy can offer valuable support. Social communication skills are crucial for building relationships and succeeding in various social settings.
Persistent Stuttering or Disfluency
Stuttering or dysfluency in speech can be concerning, especially if it persists beyond the early years of development. While some children naturally outgrow stuttering, ongoing or severe disfluencies can benefit from the expertise of a speech therapist. The easiest way to understand if stuttering will impact young children is to observe the environment in which they stutter, specific patterns around their disfluencies, and reflect on your life and if a significant (or even minor) change has occurred. Changes could include a move, disruption in routine, new family member, or lifestyle change. Your response to disfluencies should be calm and patient, and you should try to model clear, fluid speech. If the early stuttering is consistent and persists after six months, reach out to a speech therapist for intervention. Early intervention can help manage stuttering and improve fluency, reducing any negative impact on your child’s self-esteem and communication skills.
Difficulty with Pronunciation or Voice Quality
If your child’s speech sounds unusually nasally, hoarse, or strained, or has trouble pronouncing certain sounds consistently, this could be a sign of a speech or voice disorder. A speech therapist can assess these issues and work on techniques to improve voice quality and pronunciation, ensuring clearer and more effective communication.
Concerns About Underlying Conditions
Speech and language issues sometimes relate to other developmental or medical conditions, such as hearing loss, autism spectrum disorder, or developmental delays. If you have concerns about possible underlying conditions or if other developmental milestones seem delayed, consulting a speech therapist can help identify and refer you to professionals who can address your specific concerns and provide speech and language services.
Determining when to seek a speech therapist for your child can be challenging, but being proactive about their communication development can benefit significantly. If you observe any of the signs mentioned above—such as delayed speech development, difficulty with language comprehension, social communication challenges, persistent stuttering, or noticeable changes in voice quality—consider contacting a speech therapist.
Early assessment and intervention can give your child the tools they need to overcome communication challenges and thrive in all areas of life. Speech therapists are trained to diagnose and treat various speech and language issues, offering personalized strategies and support to help your child reach their full potential.