​Progressive Speech Therapy

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When you notice changes in one or more of the following:



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Intelligibility/clarity of speech



• Decreased intelligibility/Frustration resulting from decreased intelligibility

• Groping oral movements (e.g. child may open their mouth to say something but no sound comes out)

• Inconsistent speech errors – when a word is pronounced multiple different ways

• When your child sounds different/less intelligible than his/her peers*



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Vocabulary/ use of language/ expression



• Pointing and gesturing used in place of verbal communication after 1 year of age

• Echolalia or repetition of phrases, for example when asked “do you want milk?” the child responds with “want milk?” or “do you want milk?” instead of “yes” or “I want milk”

• Difficulty retrieving words (“tip of tongue” phenomenon)

• When your child is using different/less verbal language than his/her peers*



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Understanding of language e.g. following directions



• Reduced attention compared to same age peers

• Does not follow directions

• Inappropriate responses to questions (e.g. When asked “what’s your name?” the child responds with “I’m 5” when peers your child’s age are responding appropriately to such questions)

• Excessive tangential/ off topic comments at home and in school

• When your child’s understanding of language appears different from his/her peers*





Feeding skills



• Limited food choices

• Coughing/choking with foods

• Inappropriate weight gain

• Decreased tolerance of foods/objects touching hands and mouth

• When your child’s feeding is different from his/her peers*



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Play Skills/Social Skills/Pragmatics



• Reduced eye contact

• Repetitive behaviors (e.g. push cars back and forth)

• Atypical behaviors (e.g. flapping hands)

• Decreased socialization

• Immature play skills

• Decreased flexibility in routines compared to peers

•  When your child’s play skills and how he/she relates to others appears different from his/her peers*



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* A simple indicator of pediatric language delays and disorders is a comparison with same age peers in a child’s social community.  If you notice a difference in one or more of the above listed areas between your child and their peers please contact us at Progressive Speech Therapy so we can help.  Developmental milestones should be used as general guidelines for when and how language is acquired.  Research consistently shows early intervention is the best way to maximize your child’s progress.