In last week’s blog, we discussed how does a parent or caregiver know their child needs speech therapy. Communication skills are an important part of your child’s development. It isn’t always easy to know if a child is meeting their speech and language milestones.
Does your child struggle to follow instructions?
Following instruction can be a very complex task for a child. It requires them to listen to the instructions, understand the language, remember the directions, and carry them out.
It your child has a difficult time following direction, it could be at school or at home, it can indicate an issue.
A speech therapist can help assess and determine the underlying cause, whether it is attention or memory skills or understanding language.
Does your child struggle with stuttering or fluency when speaking?
Around 18-24 months of age, many children struggle with ‘natural disfluencies’. If it last longer than a few weeks, you may need to contact a speech therapist. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “If you think your child stutters, get help from an SLP as early as possible. Early help can reduce the chances that your child will keep stuttering.”
Does your child have a difficult time interacting with others?
Some children are just naturally more social than others. If your child would rather play by themselves for most of the time, instead of playing with other children. Or, you may notice your child has difficulty sharing toys or taking turns, a speech therapist can help your child overcome these difficulties.
Why is Speech and Language Therapy Important?
The process which a child develops communication significantly impacts their lives. From their social skills, academics and through adulthood.
For example, if your young child is struggling pronouncing the ‘r’ sound, it may not seem like a big deal. But without intervention, they face significant challenges. A child may have trouble talking with other children, speaking up in class, express their thoughts, reading comprehension, and this can stay with them as they grow up.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child, we encourage you to contact Orlando’s First Words Therapy. We take a holistic approach to speech-language-therapy to help your child communicate more effectively.
