Does My Child Need Speech and Language Therapy?

Research has shown us early intervention is key in treatment of speech and language disorders. However, knowing what is typical versus disordered speech and/or language skills can be difficult to identify. Below are some tips from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) in identifying signs your child may need an evaluation in their speech and/or language skills:

What is speech and language?

Speech is how we say sounds and words. Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want. What are the signs my child needs to be evaluated for speech and language services? Per the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA):

Signs of a Language Disorder Include:

Doesn’t smile or interact with others (birth–3 months)
Doesn’t babble (4–7 months)
Makes few sounds (7–12 months)
Does not use gestures (e.g., waving, pointing) (7–12 months)
Doesn’t understand what others say (7 months–2 years)
Says only a few words (12–18 months)
Doesn’t put words together to make sentences (1½–2 years)
Says fewer than 50 words (2 years)
Has trouble playing and talking with other children (2–3 years)
Has problems with early reading and writing skills—for example, may not show an interest in books or drawing (2½–3 years)

Signs of a Speech Sound Disorder Include:

Says p, b, m, h, and w incorrectly in words most of the time (1–2 years)
Says k, g, f, t, d, and n incorrectly in words most of the time (2–3 years)
Produces speech that is unclear, even to familiar people (2–3 years)

Signs of Stuttering (Disfluency) Include:

Struggles to say sounds or words (2½–3 years)
Repeats first sounds of words—”b-b-b-ball” for “ball” (2½–3 years)
Pauses a lot while talking (2½–3 years)
Stretches sounds out—”f-f-f-f-farm” for “farm” (2½–3 years)

Signs of a Voice Disorder Include:

Uses a hoarse or breathy voice
Uses a nasal-sounding voice

It is important to note that no age is too early to talk to a speech and language therapist to decide if intervention is needed to help your child.

If you have any concerns about your child’s speech and language skills please contact a licensed and certified speech and language pathologist. Full evaluations or screenings may be recommended to identify where your child’s skills are currently and if your child would benefit from speech and language therapy.

We offer speech and language therapy!

At Autism Outreach Southern California, we are excited to offer speech language therapy services. Nikki Rosner, our Clinical Director of Speech Language Pathology, has her Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology. She has worked in both private practice and in-home settings since 2012 and is trained in PROMPT, Hanen More Than Words, Social Thinking, LiPS, and Hanen TalkAbility.

Nikki’s mission is to help children find their voice in a naturalistic, fun and motivating atmosphere! She strives to help parents learn the speech and language strategies necessary to help their child excel across communication environments. As a parent we at AOSC know that YOU are your child’s best therapist. With teamwork, we can help your child make their needs known!

For more information regarding our services and insurance, contact Nikki at nikki@autismoutreach.com or (619) 581-8927.

To find a speech language pathologist near you, visit: https://www.asha.org/profind/

For more information about typical speech and language development please visit ASHA.org http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/

Jenny, Autism Outreach SoCal Team Member