Every child develops at their own pace, and comparing your child to another child is not always the best way to evaluate speech and language development.
However, parents should pay attention when a child is having persistent difficulty communicating or when their speech development does not appear to be progressing.
Some signs that may warrant a speech-language evaluation include:
Your child has very few spoken words for their age.
Your child has difficulty imitating sounds or words.
Your child’s pronunciation is inconsistent.
Your child understands more than they can communicate.
Your child becomes frustrated when trying to communicate.
Your child has difficulty putting sounds and syllables together.
Your child seems to know what they want to say but struggles to say it.
These signs do not automatically mean your child has childhood apraxia of speech. A qualified speech-language pathologist (SLP) can evaluate your child’s communication skills and determine whether further assessment or speech therapy is appropriate.
How Can Speech Therapy Help?
If you are concerned about your child’s speech or language development, the first step is a professional evaluation. An SLP can assess your child’s communication skills, speech sound production, language development, and ability to coordinate the movements needed for speech.
If a speech or language disorder is identified, speech therapy for children can help address your child’s specific communication needs.
Early evaluation can also give parents a better understanding of their child’s development and provide guidance on ways to support communication at home.
Helping Your Child Develop Communication Skills
Remember that every child is unique. Try to avoid comparing your child’s speech development with siblings, friends, or other children.
Instead, focus on your child’s individual progress and communication skills. Talk, read, sing, and play with your child regularly, and give them plenty of opportunities to communicate.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. If you feel that something may not be right with your child’s speech or language development, it is okay to ask for help.
Get Help From First Words Speech Therapy
At First Words Speech Therapy, we understand how important your child’s ability to communicate is. If you’re wondering whether your child is a late talker or may have childhood apraxia of speech, we’re here to help.
We make getting started easy with a free phone consultation. Contact First Words Speech Therapy today to discuss your concerns and learn more about how a speech and language evaluation may help your child.
