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 seems to have difficulty communicating, it is important to consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Speech therapy can help toddlers speak more clearly and improve their language skills.
Pediatric speech therapists will work with your child to identify sounds, learn new words, and improve pronunciation.
Typical Milestones in Speech and Language Development
How to Know if Your Toddler Needs Speech Therapy
How Does A Speech Therapist Evaluate A Toddler?
What to Expect During Speech Therapy Sessions
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 makeup words in their language. By the age of six months, most infants can identify the fundamental sounds of their native language.
The development of speech and vocabulary varies among children. A checklist of milestones in children's speech and language development from birth to age 3 is provided below. The expected age range listed 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)
Has 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 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 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
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.
But some children have pronunciation difficulties called speech sound disorders. Children with speech sound 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 if they prefer gestures over vocalizations or negative behaviors such as tantrums, screaming, or crying to meet needs when communicating effectively, they may benefit from an 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 your child learns
any problems with your child's hearing
whether they can follow directions or understand simple concepts
If the speech therapist suspects that 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
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 communication skills. Toddlers who receive therapy often have better language skills and social interactions with peers.
Children who communicate better are more likely to interact with others and make friends. In addition, 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 will be able to 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 conducted in a fun, relaxed setting with plenty of activities to keep them engaged. During these sessions, the therapist will work on various activities with your child to help them improve their speech.
Speech therapy for toddlers usually involves play-based activities because toddlers learn best through play. 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.
Our therapy typically consists of weekly sessions that last 30-60 minutes. The therapist will typically see your child once or twice a week, although this may vary depending on your child's needs. You will also be given exercises to do at home with your child. These activities will help your child practice their speech skills between therapy sessions.
When Should You Start Speech Therapy for a Toddler?
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.
How Long Does it Take to Improve with 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.
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.
