Does My Child Need Speech Therapy?

by Thriveable Therapies

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As parents, witnessing your child develop new ways to communicate is both exciting and rewarding. From their first babble to their first words, each milestone is a sign that your child’s language skills are growing. However, not all children develop speech and language skills at the same rate, and when a child struggles to communicate effectively, it can create frustration for both the child and the family.

Speech and language delays or disorders can sometimes go unnoticed until they begin to impact a child’s social interactions, self-esteem, or academic performance. The good news is that with early intervention, many speech and language challenges can improve. But how do you know if your child might benefit from speech therapy? Here are some signs to look for at various stages of your child’s development.

Delayed Communication Development

Each child reaches speech milestones at their own pace, but there are general expectations for when certain skills should be developed. For instance, by 12 months, most babies have said their first word, and by 18 months, many are able to use at least 25 different words. By age 2, children typically begin combining words into simple phrases, like "want cookie" or "big truck." See more information about the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) communication milestones by age at: www.asha.org/public/developmental-milestones/communication-milestones/. If your child is not meeting these milestones, or if they are not making progress in their speech skills, it may be time to consult a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can help address speech delays before they lead to bigger challenges.

Articulation and Phonological Disorders: Difficulty with Speech Sounds

Articulation and phonological disorders occur when a child has difficulty producing specific speech sounds clearly. Articulation involves problems pronouncing individual sounds correctly—such as saying "wabbit" instead of "rabbit" or "shoap" instead of "soap." Phonological disorders, on the other hand, are characterized by consistent patterns of speech errors, like simplifying words (e.g., saying "tat" for "cat" or "poon" for "spoon"). These types of disorders can make speech difficult to understand. If left untreated, these errors can eventually also impact a child's phonological awareness and spelling skills. If your child’s speech is unclear, or if they continue to use these speech patterns past the expected age, speech therapy can help. A speech-language pathologist can work with your child to improve their articulation and speech patterns, ultimately making their communication clearer and more effective.

Fluency Disorders: Stuttering

Stuttering is a fluency disorder in which a child experiences disruptions in the flow of speech, such as repeating sounds or words, or pausing unexpectedly during sentences. Most children go through brief periods of stuttering, especially as they are learning to speak more fluently. However, if the stuttering persists or worsens, it could indicate a more significant issue that requires professional intervention. Speech therapy for stuttering can help children learn strategies to manage and reduce disruptions in their speech, allowing them to communicate more confidently.

Difficulty with Receptive Language: Understanding What Others Say

Receptive language refers to a child’s ability to understand words, phrases, and concepts. Children with receptive language delays may have trouble following directions like “Please put the book on the shelf” or “Can you point to the red ball?” They might also struggle to understand more complex language, such as questions or descriptions. If your child has difficulty understanding what is being said to them, speech therapy can help improve their comprehension skills. A therapist will assess your child's ability to process language and can provide targeted activities to help them better understand spoken instructions, vocabulary, and concepts.

Difficulty with Expressive Language: Communicating Their Thoughts

Expressive language involves the ability to communicate ideas, needs, and feelings clearly through words. Children with expressive language delays might struggle to form sentences, use appropriate grammar, or express themselves clearly. For example, a child may say “I goed to school” instead of “I went to school,” or have difficulty stringing words together in a sentence. If your child struggles to communicate effectively with others, whether through speech or gestures, speech therapy can help them develop the skills needed to express themselves more clearly and confidently.

Pragmatic and Social Language Skills

Pragmatic language skills involve understanding how to use language in social situations, such as taking turns in conversation, understanding jokes, and using appropriate body language. Children with pragmatic language delays might have trouble engaging in back-and-forth conversations, understanding social cues, or participating in group activities. These difficulties can affect your child’s ability to form friendships and succeed in social interactions. Speech therapy can help by teaching strategies for improving social communication, including how to interpret and respond to social cues.

Reading and Writing Difficulties

Speech and language skills are closely tied to literacy. Children who struggle with receptive and expressive language often face difficulties with reading comprehension and written expression. For example, they may struggle to understand what they read, express themselves clearly in writing, or organize their thoughts on paper. If your child is struggling with reading or writing despite extra practice at home, a speech-language pathologist can help address these issues by improving their overall language foundation. Therapy can help build their reading comprehension, writing skills, and ability to express themselves clearly.

Conclusion: How Speech Therapy Can Help

Speech therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all; it is customized to meet the unique needs of each child. A speech-language pathologist will conduct a thorough assessment to determine the nature of your child’s speech or language difficulties, and then create a treatment plan that targets their specific challenges. Therapy often includes a combination of structured activities, games, and exercises designed to make learning enjoyable while addressing specific skills such as articulation, comprehension, or social communication. Speech therapy helps children gain the tools they need to communicate effectively and confidently, supporting both their academic and social development.

With the right support, speech therapy can help your child improve their communication skills, enhance their academic success, and build the confidence to engage socially with their peers. Early intervention is key, so don’t hesitate to reach out for an evaluation if you’re concerned. Your child’s communication skills are vital to their success, and speech therapy can be an important tool to ensure they thrive.

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