Early Signs That Indicate the Need for a Speech Pathologist

As parents and caregivers, we eagerly look forward to our kids' first spoken words and are thrilled by their developing communication skills. However, it is only natural to wonder if your child's speech and language development is going as it should be.

Identifying early signs that indicate a need for a speech pathologist can lower such worries and make all the difference in helping your child's communicative journey. Early intervention seems to guarantee better outcomes, which can inspire confidence and success in many different parts of life. In this blog, we will examine signs that it might be time to contact a speech pathologist, enabling your child to receive the support they need to grow.

Understanding Speech and Language Development

Before considering specific signs, it is important to understand how children normally learn to speak and talk. Each child has his or her own rhythm of development, but looking at the general guidelines for different ages can help you know when there is cause to worry.

By 12 months: Babies often babble and use a few simple words such as "mama" and "dada." Also, they begin to respond when you say their name.
By 18 months: Toddlers generally use anywhere from 10-20 words and can follow simple commands.
By 24 months: Their vocabulary expands to something like 50 words and they are beginning to string two-word combinations.
BY 36 months: Children now string three-words together and are understood most of the time by familiar listeners.

If your child is not achieving the above milestones, then you should consider consulting with a speech pathologist.

What do the Speech Pathologists do?

Before we get too deep into signs, let's figure out what exactly a speech pathologist does. A speech pathologist is a trained professional who assesses and treats speech, language, social communication, and swallowing disorders in patients of all ages.

Drawing from their broad experience, a speech pathologist may perform the following functions for children:

Assess Communication Skills: Performs complete assessments to identify areas of need.
Individualized Treatment Plans: We formulate specific therapy plans to suit the differing challenges of your child.
Intervention: Use effective therapy techniques to intervene and develop speech and language.
Educate Families: Provide instruction for all caregivers about how to use strategies to help foster communication development at home.

Early Signs That May Indicate the Need for a Speech Pathologist

Limited babbling or Vocalizations

Babbling is important for your child to learn to talk. if the child is not babbling or vocalizing by the end of 6 to 9 months, there might be a delay in language development. Early development of vocal activities are essential for the purpose of practicing the sounds that make words.

Fails to respond to names or sounds

By 12 months, children should respond to their names or general ambient sounds within their environment. If the child fails to respond, this can be evidence of a hearing deficit or a problem in receptive-language abilities. So, it's very important to speak with your doctor for a referral for an audiological assessment.

Limited Use of Gestures

Pointing, waving, and nodding are all vital parts of early conversation. Not using these gestures by 12 months of age can mean your child's non-verbal communication skills are lagging.

Difficulty Imitating Sounds or Actions

Imitation is a key learning tool for kids. Difficulty with the imitation of sounds, words, or actions may indicate delays in speech and language development. Imitation allows kids to respond and practice new skills.

A Slow Growth in Vocabulary

Between 18 to 24 months, children usually experience a vocabulary "explosion." If your child is not using "new" vocabulary regularly during this period, it might be time to see a speech pathologist.

Faces Trouble Combining Two Words

By 2 years old, children generally start stringing together two words to form simple sentences like "want cookie" or "more juice." If your child has not done this by 24 months, it might mean they are delayed in speech or language development.

Difficulties with Pronunciation

Although some mispronunciations are normal in the early stages of speech development, an ongoing difficulty with specific sounds could be the reason for concern.

Difficulty in Comprehending Language

When your child finds it difficult to understand age-appropriate questions or follow basic commands, it may be because of some underlying delay or disorder in receptive language. This mostly affects their ability to focus and understand instructions.

Stuttering or Speech Impediments

Small children commonly have fits of disfluency. However, frequent repetitions, lengthening of words, or blocks in speech that persist can be a reason for getting help from a speech therapist.

Voice Quality Concerns

If your child's voice is continuously hoarse, nasal or has a strange resonance, it may be that there is something wrong with the function of their vocal cords. These worries can be looked into and treated by a speech pathologist.

Social Communication Difficulties

An inability to speak appropriately in social situations, such as failure to take turns in conversation or not understanding social cues, may be signals of a social communication disorder.

Regression in Speech and Language Skills

When a child who previously developed speech and language abilities loses these skills, it is important to obtain immediate evaluation. Regression is often a signal of underlying neurological or developmental conditions.

How Thera+Kids Can Help?

At Thera+Kids, we provide speech therapy services for children. These are specifically tailored to each child's unique needs. We offer:

Individualized Therapy Sessions: These target issues related to specific speech and language deficits.
Learning Through Play: Engaging, playful activities to promote speech and language development.
Parental Guidance: Offer suggestions and guidance to parents to help reinforce in-home progress.
Multi-agency Approach: Collaborating with educators, pediatricians, and other specialists for care.

Our speech pathologists are highly experienced and motivated to help the children achieve their communication potential. Whether it's a mild speech delay or a more complex communication disorder, our team provides expert support.

Helping Your Child Take the Next Step

Recognizing the symptoms early is the first step to help your child in speech and language development. If you see any of the above-mentioned indicators, consult with a speech pathologist who can tailor interventions to your child's needs. Early intervention can improve language and speech development and also boost confidence, peer engagement, and overall development.

At Thera+Kids, we believe that all children should have the opportunity to speak from their hearts. Our extremely qualified and compassionate speech pathologists are ready to provide you and your child with the best guidance. Contact us today for more details about how you can take a step forward in supporting your child's speech and language development.