
Importance of Speech, Language & Communication
Speech is how we say sounds and words. Speech disorders include trouble pronouncing words, stuttering and other sounds related issues. Language refers to the words we use and how we use them to share ideas and get what we want. When your child has language disorders he/she may have trouble putting across their thoughts or in understanding what you say. A child can have problems with one or both.
If a child has difficulties with speech & language, they are more likely to have difficulty in developing reading and writing skills, have behavior difficulties and difficulty in forming friendships and making social connections. Difficulty in expressing themselves causes frustration and isolation.
Warning signs that a child needs
Speech and Language Therapy help
- Struggles to imitate sounds.
- Decreased variety in sounds.
- Limited or poor-quality sounds.
- Difficulty following commands.
- Communication changes post-injury or surgery.
- Cognitive changes, memory decline.
- No word combinations by 18 months.
- Regression in mastered sounds/words.
- Slow to grasp new words.
- Struggles to communicate basic needs.
- Struggles to initiate conversations.
- Unintelligible speech after 24 months.
- No sentences by 36 months.
- Not fluent by 3 ½ years.
- Difficulty responding to directions, questions.