The perfect age to begin speech therapy is when your child starts to fall behind the expected milestones or when you observe any irregularities. It is never too early or too late to start therapy. If a delay is detected, the speech therapist will create a plan that is tailored to your child's individual needs. Based on the results of the tests, the speech therapist may suggest speech therapy for your child.
But what if your child does not say words when they are one year old? What if they still mispronounce basic words at five years old? At what point should you consider a speech therapy consultation? In this article, I will explain young children's speech milestones, how they are determined, and how you can use them to assess your child's development. It is essential to monitor your child's behavior closely if you want to detect and treat potential speech disorders. To begin speech therapy, you will need a speech and language evaluation to get a better understanding of your child's speech and language skills. You can find a speech-language pathologist on your own or ask your healthcare provider for a referral. Once you have decided to get a speech and language evaluation and possibly speech therapy for your toddler, they will likely be placed on a waiting list.
The speech therapist will work with you to create an at-home practice plan that is both feasible and enjoyable for you and your child. If your child is progressing as expected, then you have spent an hour with the pediatric speech therapist in exchange for peace of mind. On the other hand, a child with a language delay may know how to articulate words but may not do so correctly when communicating. Speech therapists are trained professionals who help children and adults with various speech-related issues. If you notice something unusual, it is important to see a speech therapist as soon as possible in order to address the issue before it is too late. FOCUS offers pediatric speech therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida, including virtual speech therapy.
With the help of an experienced professional, you can ensure that your child receives the best possible care and treatment for their individual needs.
