A Parent's Comprehensive Guide to Speech Therapy for Toddlers
Parents of newborns watch as their baby grows and develops in many different ways. Some of a child’s most important cognitive development happens during the early months and years of life.
If your toddler is not yet speaking or has difficulty communicating, it is important to consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and your child’s pediatrician. Speech therapists can evaluate your child’s speech and language development, identify any potential delays or disorders, and provide targeted interventions to support their communication skills.
Pediatric speech therapists will work with your child to identify sounds, learn new words, and improve pronunciation.
Key Takeaways:
Speech and Language Milestones: Typical developmental milestones from birth to age three begin with understanding gestures. Later, language skills progress to babbling and forming simple words and sentences.
Causes of Speech Delays: Various factors, including hearing impairments, genetic disorders, and developmental disabilities, can contribute to speech delays in toddlers.
Signs Your Toddler May Need Speech Therapy: Look for pronunciation difficulties, limited vocabulary, slow speech rate, and inappropriate intonation.
Speech Therapy Techniques: Speech therapists use play-based activities, articulation exercises, and language development strategies to help toddlers improve their speech skills.
Benefits of Speech Therapy: Early speech therapy can enhance communication abilities, social interactions, and academic performance in toddlers.
Typical Milestones in Speech and Language Development
How to Know if Your Toddler Needs Speech Therapy
How Does A Speech Therapist Evaluate A Toddler?
Typical Milestones in Speech and Language Development
Language skills are among the most important aspects of a toddler's speech development. Language development occurs gradually, proceeds at different rates for each child, and is a critical aspect of a child's overall development.
In the first year of life, babies learn to understand and communicate through gestures and watching their caregiver's facial expressions. Babies learn that it will bring food, comfort, and companionship when they cry.
As they grow, infants learn to distinguish the speech sounds that make up words in their language. By the age of six months, most infants can identify the fundamental sounds of their native language.
Speech and vocabulary development vary among children. Below is a checklist of milestones in speech and language development from birth to age 3. The expected age range below is just a guide, as every child develops differently.
0-4 Months:
Understands and communicates through gestures
7-12 Months:
Imitates different speech sounds (baby talk)
May have one or two words ("Hi," "Cat," "Dada," or "Mama") by the first birthday
12-24 Months:
Acquires new words regularly
Uses one- or two-word questions ("Where doggie?" or "Go bye-bye?")
Puts two words together ("More banana")
Uses many different consonant sounds at the beginning of words
24-36 Months:
Has a word for almost everything
Uses two- or three-word phrases to talk about and request things
Speaks in a way that is easily understood by family members and friends
Names an object to ask for it or to direct your attention to it
What Causes a Speech Delay?
Many different things can cause a delay in your toddler's speech. Some common causes include, but are not limited to:
Hearing impairment
Genetic disorders such as Down's Syndrome
Premature birth or low birth weight
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Fragile X Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Brain injury
Thinking or Developmental Disability
According to research, there may also be a link to a family history of language problems.
How to Know if Your Toddler Needs Speech Therapy
The signs of speech disorder or delay can vary from child to child, but some typical milestones exist. Most babies begin babbling by 12 months old, say words by 16 months old, and follow simple directions.
A speech or language delay is when a child has difficulty speaking (expressive language) or understanding what others say (receptive language).
Some Common Signs of Speech Delays:
Pronunciation difficulties (speech is difficult to understand)
Difficulty using and understanding words
Limited vocabulary
A slow speech rate
Inappropriate intonation or pitch
Pronunciation Difficulties
It is typical for children who are learning how to talk to have trouble saying the words correctly right away. Infant and toddler speech skills will continue to develop over time.
However, some children have pronunciation difficulties, called speech sound disorders. Children with these speech disorders have trouble saying certain sounds and words past the expected age, affecting speech intelligibility.
Articulation and phonological process disorders are two types of pronunciation difficulties, also known as speech sound disorders.
Articulation difficulties include the inability to make particular sounds, such as "d" or "k."
A phonological process disorder is a pattern of sound mistakes.
Difficulty Using and Understanding Words
Some children have difficulty using and understanding words. This may be due to a hearing problem or a problem with receptive language. Trouble understanding can impact language development.
Limited Vocabulary
A child with a limited vocabulary often has a difficult time communicating. A reduced child's vocabulary can be due to a speech delay, hearing problem, difficulty understanding language, or limited exposure to new words.
Slow Rate of Speech
A slow speech rate can make it hard for you to understand your child. This is often due to a problem with the child's speech muscles, hearing, thinking, or understanding of language. Slower speaking rates tend to reduce the intelligibility of children with articulation, phonology, or fluency disorders.
Inappropriate Intonation or Pitch
Children who have trouble controlling their intonation or pitch may sound robotic-like, producing each syllable one at a time. They may talk in a monotone voice or use a pitch and intonation that does not match the intended message.
If your toddler is not meeting the milestones outlined above or prefers gestures over vocalizations or negative behaviors such as tantrums, screaming, or crying to meet needs when communicating effectively, they may benefit from a speech evaluation.
How Does A Speech Therapist Evaluate A Toddler?
Speech therapists will ask the parents about the child's development. Some questions that speech therapists may ask about your child include:
When they started speaking or said their first word
What words they know, or what sounds they make
How they communicate with others
How they interact in everyday situations
How their child learns
Any problems with their child's hearing
Whether they can follow directions or understand simple concepts
If the speech therapist suspects the child has a speech delay, they may recommend therapy.
Toddler Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists are experts who work with children to help them develop better speech and communication skills. Treatment can involve teaching them how to make certain sounds, improving their articulation, and helping them to understand and use language more effectively.
Speech therapy for toddlers can be a great way to help your children learn new words and improve social communication skills. Toddlers who receive therapy often have better language skills and social interactions with peers.
Children who communicate better are likelier to interact with others and make friends. Speech therapy can also help children perform better academically by improving their reading and writing skills.
If you are wondering if your toddler needs speech therapy, we can help! Once you're connected with one of our expert therapists, they can assess your toddler's needs and develop a tailored therapy plan for them.
What to Expect During Speech Therapy Sessions
Speech therapy for toddlers is a fun and engaging experience for both the child and the parent. The ideal approach to therapy combines direct therapy with parent coaching to maximize progress and development.
Therapy Sessions
Therapy sessions typically last 30-60 minutes and occur once or twice a week. During these sessions, our speech-language pathologists create a stimulating environment filled with play-based activities and toys. Incorporating play into therapy encourages natural language development and makes the process enjoyable for your child.
The therapist will use games and toys to help your child develop their speech skills. They may also use books, songs, and other materials to help your toddler learn new words and sounds.
Parent Coaching
Parent involvement is key to improvement. Your therapist should provide guidance and support to help parents incorporate speech-enhancing activities into their daily routines and exercises to do at home with their child. Working closely with parents can reinforce therapy goals and maximize the child's progress.
Key components of our therapy sessions include:
Play-based learning: Engaging in activities that promote language development.
Skill building: Targeting specific speech sounds, vocabulary, and grammar.
Parent education: Providing strategies and resources for home practice.
Progress monitoring: Tracking your child's development and adjusting therapy as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should a toddler go to speech therapy?
The best time to start speech therapy for a toddler is when you first notice they have difficulties with speech and language.
If your child is not meeting developmental milestones, or if you notice they are having trouble speaking clearly, it may be time to seek help from a speech therapist. Early intervention is essential for helping toddlers improve their speech skills.
2. How long does it take to see results in speech therapy?
Speech therapy aims to help your child communicate effectively with others. With proper treatment, most children with delayed speech can achieve this goal. However, speech therapy is a process that will take time for your child to see results. With patience and consistency, your toddler will progress in their language skills.
3. How do I know if my child has speech delay or autism?
Distinguishing between speech delay and autism involves observing specific behaviors. While both conditions may include communication difficulties, they have distinct characteristics. Children with speech delays primarily struggle with producing speech sounds, while autism often includes broader developmental challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Consulting with a pediatrician or speech-language pathologist is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate support.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help With Speech Therapy for Toddlers
Speech therapy for toddlers focuses on enhancing their communication skills, addressing any speech and language delays, and ensuring they meet developmental milestones. Toddlers who struggle with speech may find it challenging to express themselves, leading to frustration and social difficulties.
Through speech therapy, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) works with the child to improve their ability to produce sounds, form words, and understand language.
Connected Speech Pathology has been at the forefront of delivering speech therapy services remotely, leveraging technology to provide high-quality care regardless of location. This approach ensures that toddlers receive the support they need without the constraints of geographic barriers.
Our SLPs can observe a child’s natural environment through virtual sessions, often providing valuable insights into their everyday communication challenges. Parents also benefit from this model, as they can participate more actively in sessions and integrate therapeutic techniques into daily routines.
Summary
In conclusion, early speech therapy is essential for addressing speech and language delays in toddlers.
Working with a skilled speech-language pathologist can improve children’s communication skills, leading to better social interactions and overall development. Early intervention makes a significant difference in helping toddlers reach their full potential.
If you have concerns about your toddler, contact us for a free consultation.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
