Speech Therapy
What is pediatric speech therapy?
Pediatric speech therapy is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing speech, language, and communication disorders in children. It is provided by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or speech therapist, who works with children to improve their ability to understand and produce speech and language. By addressing speech and language difficulties early, children can overcome challenges and reach their full potential. The therapy is individualized to each child's needs and can make a significant difference in their overall development, enhancing their ability to interact with others and participate fully in daily life.
Supports Social and Emotional Development
Communication is key to forming relationships, making friends, and interacting with others. Children with speech or language disorders may have trouble making connections with peers, leading to social isolation or frustration. Therapy helps children learn to express their thoughts, needs, and feelings, which boosts self-esteem and confidence. It also enhances social skills, such as understanding turn-taking in conversations or using polite forms of communication.
Improves Academic Success
Children who struggle with language skills often have trouble following directions, understanding instructions, or expressing themselves in the classroom. Speech therapy helps children understand and use language effectively, which improves reading, writing, and comprehension skills. It also helps with listening skills and following multi-step directions, which are essential in a school setting.
Enhances Daily Functioning
Effective communication is necessary for many daily activities, from interacting with family members and peers to expressing needs and desires. When children struggle with communication, it can affect everything from eating and dressing to understanding safety instructions. By improving language, speech, and social skills, pediatric speech therapy helps children become more independent and capable in their day-to-day lives.
How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?
DELAYED SPEECH DEVELOPMENT By Age 1: Not using gestures (e.g., waving, pointing) or making sounds. By Age 2: Limited vocabulary (less than 50 words) or difficulty using two-word combinations (e.g., "want cookie"). By Age 3: Not using three- to four-word sentences or having trouble combining words into simple sentences. By Age 4: Struggling to form clear sentences or having a limited vocabulary for their age
DIFFICULTY UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE By Age 2-3: Difficulty following simple instructions, such as “Come here” or “Give me the toy.” By Age 3-4: Not understanding questions like "Where is your shoe?" or not following directions involving two or more steps (e.g., “Pick up your toy and put it in the basket”). By Age 4: Difficulty understanding or processing conversations, stories, or instructions given by adults.
TROUBLE SPEAKING CLEARLY Speech Clarity Issues: If your child’s speech is difficult for others to understand, even those who are familiar with them (e.g., family members or teachers). This could be due to articulation issues (such as mispronouncing sounds) or a limited ability to make words and sentences. Substituting Sounds or Words: Using incorrect sounds (e.g., saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit") or consistently leaving out sounds in words (e.g., saying "nana" instead of "banana"). Limited Vocabulary: Using a very small number of words or repeating the same words often (e.g., only saying a few words consistently like “cookie,” “ball,” or “no”).
STUTTERING Repetition of Sounds or Words: Repeating the same sounds or words (e.g., "I I I want that") for an extended period. Pauses in Speech: Struggling to get words out, pausing frequently, or showing tension or frustration when trying to speak. Blocking: Experiencing long pauses, especially when trying to speak a word or phrase, and becoming visibly upset or frustrated.
LACK OF INTEREST IN SPEECH AND COMMUNICATION Apathy Toward Talking: A child who seems uninterested in talking or engaging in conversation, preferring to stay silent or not initiate interaction. Avoiding Social Interaction: Preferring solitary play and not engaging in activities that require verbal communication or interaction with others.
REGRESSION IN SPEECH OR LANGUAGE SKILLS Loss of Speech Skills: If a child has previously developed speech or language skills and then starts to lose them (e.g., a child who used to say words and then stops speaking). Reverting to Babbling: Going back to babbling or pre-language speech patterns after using words for a period of time.
TREATMENTS WE USE
Articulation therapy
Language therapy
Social communication therapy
Speech fluency therapy (stuttering therapy)
Cognitive-communication therapy
Speech-sound therapy
Parent and caregiver training and education
