FAMILY CENTERED THERAPY INDIVIDUALIZED TO YOUR CHILD.
Speech and Language Therapy
Talk Play Grow offers Speech-Language Evaluations and individualized treatment sessions. Our ASHA certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologists use innovative and evidence-based treatment methods when treating our clients. We understand that children learn best through play and work hard to make sure our therapy is fun and effective!
What exactly is Speech and Language Therapy for?
You might think that Speech Therapy simply teaches children how to correctly produce sounds so that people can understand their speech. Speech-Language therapy definitely does do that...but we also do so much more! We work on ALL aspects of communication! For one thing, Speech Disorders can include articulation disorders (inability to produce sounds), phonological disorders (speech sound errors follow specific patterns), and motor speech disorders (Childhood Apraxia of Speech, dysarthria).
Speech-Language Therapy also provides treatment for children having difficulty communicating in other ways. Expressive language is how a child uses language i.e. vocabulary, grammar, expressing their thoughts/needs/wants/or ideas effectively --- to name a few! Receptive language is how a child comprehends different aspects of language i.e. basic concepts, WH questions, ability to follow directions, understand a reading passage, etc.
Speech-Language Therapy can also target pragmatic (social) language disorders. Social language skills, such as responding to greetings, ability to hold a conversation appropriately, understanding friendships and relationships, making inferences, etc, are all things that Speech-Language Pathologists work on!
Fluency disorders (stuttering) and Voice disorders are within our scope of practice as well!
Did you know that Speech-Language Pathologists also have a large role in feeding therapy? We are able to evaluate, diagnosis and treat swallowing and feeding disorders across the lifespan. Whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding an infant, an older baby having difficulty with chewing and swallowing solid foods, or a child struggling with sensory issues while eating, we can help!
Speech-Language Pathologists are also trained and able to help with literacy difficulties. We can teach early literacy skills, such as phonological awareness skills, and treat dyslexia. Oftentimes difficulty reading is linked back to either a speech sound disorder or expressive/receptive language disorder.
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Does my child need speech and language therapy?
Well, for one thing, the only way to know for sure is to complete a Speech-Language Evaluation. If you are worried, give us a call. We will listen to your concerns...after all, you are the expert on your child! We can tell you the age expectations for communication skills and help you decide what you would like to do.
Here are some things to consider:
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Word Count by Age
12-18 months: Using 2-6 words besides "mama" and "dada. Beginning to intentionally label items.
18-24 months: Using 50 words, mostly nouns. They understand 150-300 words.
24-30 months: Using 200-300 words. Beginning to combine words to make short sentences.
30-36 months: 450 words. You should be hearing positional words (In, on) and pronouns (I, me).
36+ months: 1,000 words. Should be using 3-word combinations. Huge growth at this time!
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Speech Sound Development by Age (American Speech and Hearing Association)
By age 3 months: making cooing sounds
By age 5 months: laughs and makes playful sounds
By 6 months: more speech-like babbling sounds like puh, bah, mi, da
By 1 year: Babbles longer strings of sounds like babababa, mimimi
By 3 years: Says m, n, h, w, p, b, t, d, k, g, and f in words.
Familiar people understand the child's speech.
By 4 years: Says y and v in words.
May still make mistakes on the s, sh, ch, j, ng, th, z, l, and r sounds.
Most people understand the child’s speech.
By 7 years: Should say all sounds correctly.
Should be easily understood by most everyone.
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Questions to ask yourself:
Does my child have difficulty knowing what words to say?
Does my child stutter or stumble over words while speaking?
Does my child use incorrect words or grammar when speaking?
Does my child have a hard time understanding what people say?
Does my child have a hard time following verbal directions?
Does my child have a hard time remembering what they read or re-telling a story?
Does my child struggle in social situations?
Does my child interact with others and/or know how to play?
Does my child get frustrated when trying to communicate?
Did the school say my child didn't qualify for services based on academic performance but I'm still
concerned?
Are you feeling concerned that something is not right, but you aren't sure what it is?
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You can find out more about speech and language development at ASHA
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Again, if you are concerned, give us a call! We would be happy to talk through your concerns with you and help you decide your plan. 440.427.4433
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