From babbling to saying their first word, there are certain speech development milestones most parents can expect from their children. However, it's not uncommon for some of them to exhibit signs of a speech-language disorder. If your child is in this situation, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) can give them the extra help they need to communicate effectively.
How Can A Speech Language Therapist (SLP) Help Your Child?
A speech therapist helps your child with language disorders, oral motor skills, listening skills, and anything else that prevents them from communicating properly.
Some communication disorders an SLP helps with are:
- Fluency disorders
- Autism
- Selective Mutism
- Dyslexia
- Early Language Delays
- Voice Disorders
An SLP usually starts with an initial evaluation to determine your child's specific needs. Once they determine what to do, they'll create a plan to correct your child's speech disorder.
Signs Your Child Needs A Speech-Language Pathologist
While some children may have trouble with pronunciation, others may have severe communication disorders that can harm their development if they aren't addressed in time. Here are a few signs your child would benefit from seeing an SLP:
Trouble Forming Complete Sentences
By the time your child is two years old, they should know at least 50 words and be able to construct two- to three-word sentences. If they're still using one-word statements, consider an SLP to help them better articulate their words and form longer phrases.
They Refuse To Speak
Even if some children are shy, they should be able to communicate in most social situations. However, children with selective mutism (SM) can't express themselves in specific environments. With over 90% of children with SM struggling with social anxiety or other social phobias, parents should immediately seek the help of an SLP to identify the primary source of the child's behavior.
Your Child Has Trouble Following Directions
Your child should understand how to follow simple directions before they reach 10 months. While your child might not follow directions at times, they should be able to know when you tell them to do something. If your child is constantly confused when you give them a command, an SLP can help them develop receptive language skills.
Our Curriculum Will Help Your Child Communicate Effectively
Understanding and effectively treating your child's speech-language disorder with the help of a therapist will help them improve their communication skills before it's too late. Besides going to an SLP, many specialized educational programs can also meet your child's needs in a supportive environment.
For example, the Tiegerman Learning Method (TLM) curriculum is designed to help students with language disorders communicate meaningfully. If you have any questions about how our program can help your child develop their language skills, please contact one of our staff members today.