Should I Take My Child to Speech Therapy?
Should I Take My Child to Speech Therapy?
Children learn to talk at their own pace. While some kids start chatting early, others take a little longer to develop speech and language skills. In many cases, minor delays are a normal part of development. But sometimes, speech or language challenges can signal a need for professional evaluation and support.
Knowing the signs to watch for can help you get your child the help they need at the right time.
What Does a Speech-Language Pathologist Do?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) help children and adults communicate more effectively. While many people think speech therapy is only about pronunciation, SLPs also evaluate and treat challenges related to:
- Language development
- Social communication skills
- Reading and writing difficulties, including dyslexia
Speech and language development is especially important during the first five years of life, when children are building the communication skills they will use throughout childhood and beyond.
Signs Your Child May Need a Speech and Language Evaluation
While children reach developmental milestones at different times, there are some general milestones that can help parents know when to seek support.
"By 3 years of age, children should be able to put three to four words together and be understood about 90% of the time," says Jori Harris M.S. CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist at University of Utah Health.
When children are not meeting expected speech and language milestones, it may indicate an underlying speech, language, hearing, developmental, or physical condition.
“The most common cases we see at the University Developmental Assessment Clinic (UDAC) are developmental delays,” Harris explains. “This frequently includes children with autism spectrum disorder.”
Besides delays in speech and language development, children with autism spectrum disorder exhibit additional challenges such as:
- Social relatedness
- Unusual behaviors
- Sensory dysfunction
A speech and language evaluation helps identify specific communication challenges and provides recommendations for treatment. In some cases, speech-language pathologists may also recommend additional evaluations by other specialists.
Early Intervention Makes a Difference
The earlier a child receives support, the better their chances of improving communication skills and reaching their full potential.
For example, children who have difficulty producing certain speech sounds, such as "R" or "L," often benefit from therapy before starting kindergarten. Early treatment can improve how well peers and teachers understand them and help build confidence in social and classroom settings.
“We want to prevent, reduce or eliminate any additional challenges that children starting kindergarten might have,” Harris explains. “If we see these kids early enough, we can detect if there are other factors impacting their development.”
If you're concerned about your child's speech or language development, talk with your pediatrician or schedule an evaluation with a speech-language pathologist. Early support can make a lasting difference.
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