When Should My Child See a Speech Therapist?
As a parent, it can be difficult to know when a child's speech or language development needs extra support.
You may be wondering whether your child will simply “catch up” or whether it is time to speak with a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).
The important thing to remember is that you don't need to wait until you're certain there is a problem.
What does a Speech-Language Pathologist do?
A pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist works with children who have difficulties with speech, language, communication and related skills.
This can include children who:
Are late to start talking
Use fewer words than expected
Have difficulty putting words together
Are difficult to understand
Struggle to understand what others say
Have difficulty following instructions
Have difficulty communicating their wants and needs
Have challenges with social communication
An SLP can assess your child's individual skills and help determine whether additional support could be beneficial.
When Should My Child See a Speech Therapist? & Signs your child may benefit from an assessment
Consider speaking with an SLP if you notice that your child:
Isn't using many words: Your child may communicate primarily through pointing, gestures or sounds.
Isn't combining words: Your child may still be using mainly single words when you expected longer phrases.
Is difficult to understand: Family members may understand your child, but unfamiliar people frequently struggle.
Becomes frustrated communicating: Your child may become upset because they can't express what they want.
Has difficulty understanding language: They may struggle to follow instructions or understand questions.
Has stopped using previously learned skills: A loss of communication skills should always be discussed with a healthcare professional.
You don't have to wait and see
There is no benefit to parents feeling guilty about seeking advice “too early.”
An assessment can provide reassurance when development is progressing well and can identify areas where your child may benefit from support.Early support can also give parents practical strategies to use during everyday activities.
What happens during a pediatric speech assessment?
An assessment may involve observing your child while they play, talking with parents, reviewing developmental history and looking at how your child understands and uses communication.
The assessment is designed to understand the whole child, rather than simply counting how many words they can say.
At Inspire Speech Therapy, we provide individualized pediatric speech and language services for families in Surrey and throughout the Lower Mainland. If you're concerned about your child's communication, we're here to answer your questions and help you understand what the next step could be.
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