More than words: 6 ways speech therapy supports child development
If your child shows signs of speech delays, communication struggles, or other oral issues, speech therapy can help boost language skills—and confidence. Although kids grow and develop at their own pace, there are some general milestones in the early years that help parents and pediatricians track progress.
“18 to 24 months is one of the first benchmarks for language skills, but even if a child isn’t as verbal as their peers by age two, most parents need not worry,” says Kathryn Bradley, manager of outpatient speech and audiology for Atlantic Health System. “There are so many nonverbal ways kids communicate. If they’re looking at you, smiling, pointing, following directions, and responding to what you’re saying, those are positive signs.”
Kathryn explains, however, that when speech, language, voice, or even feeding and swallowing issues don’t seem to resolve on their own, parents and pediatricians often rely on the support of a speech language pathologist (SLP).
Turning to speech therapy
“It may come as a surprise, but many infants and children we work with are overcoming feeding problems,” says Kathryn. Her team also supports newborns learning to nurse or bottle-feed, nonverbal toddlers, and picky eaters of all ages.
A delay in speech or language can be caused by hearing loss, oral anatomy (tongue, jaw, palate), or limited exposure to language. It can also be connected to autism, a disability, or a broader medical condition. If your child is having trouble with any of these oral issues, speech therapy can help with both diagnosis and treatment:
- delayed or disordered language
- articulation issues
- stuttering
- voice issues
- picky eating
- bottle or breastfeeding
Understanding the process
Therapists work with parents and kids on one goal at a time. Whether a child is building vocabulary, strengthening oral muscles for better pronunciation, or learning to eat new foods, therapists use tailored play-based activities to make sessions fun and engaging.
After 12 sessions, most kids make progress toward their goal and take a break from therapy. Their new focus becomes transferring these new skills to home, school, and community environments.
“We use different strategies for language, voice, cognition, memory, and problem solving—all to target the goal,” says Kathryn. “Once the child is using a new skill at home in everyday life, they may never need us again. If they do, we pick another goal and work on it for the next 12 visits.”
When to seek help
In general, by about age three to four, children should be able to speak in clear sentences. If you’re concerned, talk to your pediatrician. They can refer you to a speech therapist for a full evaluation.
A diagnosis begins with a thorough review of your child’s medical and developmental history along with trained observation using play therapy with cars, art projects, or even high-tech devices like iPads.
“When it comes to language development, there’s a huge range that’s considered normal,” says Kathryn. “Gestures, nonverbal cues, and facial expressions all signal that your child is communicating with you. So, keep the focus on verbal and nonverbal engagement.”
Be proactive about your health
Staying up to date on annual wellness exams and screenings is important. So too, are the occasional trips to specialists to address sleep issues or any other health concerns that are nagging you.
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