Speech Therapy

The text explains that speech therapy for autistic children focuses on functional communication, social connection, and confidence, using strategies like joint attention, expanding vocabulary, understanding instructions, and introducing AAC when needed. Sessions are play-based, sensory-aware, and collaborative with caregivers, OT, and teachers. AAC ranges from pictures to devices and supports expression while spoken language develops. Families can support at home with simple, consistent tweaks (choices, visuals, modeling), recognizing all forms of communication and expanding them. Progress is non-linear, but goal-driven teamwork helps build relationships, learning, and self-advocacy.

Forget the flashcards! Discover how simple word games like rhyming and sound matching can boost your preschooler’s reading skills before they even open a book.

Tired of repeating yourself? Your child might not be ignoring you on purpose—they might just be acting their age. Learn the difference between hearing and listening.

Does your toddler say “runned” instead of “ran” or “mouses” instead of “mice”? Find out why these “mistakes” are actually a sign of advanced brain development and how to handle them.

Is your toddler’s storytelling a little… fuzzy? Learn the benchmarks for speech clarity and find out why understanding only 50% of what your 2-year-old says is actually right on track.

Speech and language develop rapidly in the first years of life. Milestones help caregivers support communication, spot delays early, and celebrate progress. Milestones from birth to age 3: 0-3 months — startles to sound, coos, social smile; 4-6 months — babbles (p, b, m), laughs, turns to voice; 7-12 months — uses gestures (pointing, waving), responds to name, imitates sounds, first words around 12 months; 12-18 months — understands simple words, follows one-step gestures, says 10-20 words by 18 months; 18-24 months — vocabulary grows to 50+ words, begins two-word combos; 2-3 years — uses short sentences, follows two-step directions, most Speech understood by age 3. Why milestones matter: they’re guideposts, with early support reducing frustration; early identification of issues like hearing or oral-motor difficulties allows targeted strategies. A quick fact: about 1 in 36 children has autism spectrum disorder; early language differences can be an early sign. Simple daily ways to nurture speech: talk during routines, follow your child’s lead and label/improve with one more word, read and sing together with picture pointing and pauses for your child to fill in, and use pause-and-wait to invite responses. When to seek professional opinion: trust your gut if not babbling by 9 months, no gestures by 12 months, fewer than 50 words or no two-word phrases by 24 months, or concerns about hearing/play/social connection; a licensed speech-language pathologist can evaluate and coach. Goal: progress, connection, and rich chances to communicate in natural and fun ways.

Pacifiers can be soothing for babies, but as children grow, their pacifier habits can start to affect speech, oral motor skills, and even dental development. In this post, we break down what parents need to know about healthy pacifier use, how it connects to early communication, and simple tips for knowing when and how to wean. It’s a gentle guide from a speech pathologist’s perspective to help you support your child’s comfort while still protecting their long term speech and language growth.

The text explains that everyday routines are ideal for language development because they provide repetition, context, and low pressure, leading to stronger language outcomes. It offers practical weekly tips for integrating speech opportunities into common activities (morning dressing, meals, bath, errands, chores, car rides) by offering choices, narrating actions, using verbs, labeling, and expanding child utterances. Guidance includes using predictable scripts, expanding rather than correcting, pairing words with gestures, allowing wait time, and adapting for hesitant talkers or sensory sensitivities. Consistent short, intentional interactions (e.g., ten minutes daily) can yield hundreds of practice trials and boost communication skills.

Children begin developing language long before their first words. Understanding the five basic aspects of language development can help you make sense of how your child learns, plays, and communicates. From early speech sounds to social communication skills, each piece fits together to create a strong foundation. When parents know what to look for, it becomes easier to support progress and spot when extra help may be needed.