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Understanding the Signs: Does Your Child Need Speech Therapy?

Writer's picture: Cassie Serrata M.S., CCC-SLPCassie Serrata M.S., CCC-SLP

As a parent, you want the best for your child in every aspect of their development. When it comes to their speech and language skills, it's natural to feel concerned if you notice any delays or difficulties. It's important to distinguish between typical development and potential indications that your child may benefit from speech therapy.


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We'll explore some common signs that might suggest your child could benefit from speech therapy, as well as provide guidance on when to seek professional evaluation and support.


1. Limited Vocabulary and Expression:

  • Pay attention to the range and complexity of your child's vocabulary. Are they able to express themselves effectively for their age, or do they struggle to find the right words?

  • Difficulty forming sentences or expressing thoughts clearly might indicate underlying speech or language challenges.

  • To learn more about typical language development, check out this resource we created that outlines language milestones from 1 month to 5 years.

2. Pronunciation Problems:

  • While it's normal (and cute!) for young children to make pronunciation errors as they learn to speak, persistent difficulties beyond a certain age could be cause for concern.

  • If your child consistently substitutes, omits, or distorts sounds in their speech, it could indicate a speech disorder such as articulation or phonological disorder.

  • It's important to know what speech sounds typically develop at what age. Look at this speech milestones chart we created. If your child isn't saying age appropriate sounds correctly, we recommend a speech evaluation.

3. Difficulty Understanding Spoken Language:

  • Watch for signs that your child has trouble understanding what others say. Do they frequently ask for repetition or clarification?

  • Difficulty following directions or responding appropriately to questions might signal receptive language issues that could benefit from intervention.

4. Stuttering or Fluency Challenges:

  • Occasional disfluencies such as repetitions or hesitations are common in early childhood language development. However, if your child's stuttering becomes more frequent or pronounced over time, it may be worth seeking professional evaluation.

  • A speech-language pathologist can provide strategies to support fluency and reduce stuttering behaviors.

5. Social and Academic Impact:

  • Consider how your child's speech and language difficulties are affecting his/her social interactions and academic performance.

  • Difficulty communicating with peers or participating in classroom activities could indicate underlying challenges that could benefit from targeted intervention.


Every child develops at their own pace, and it's not uncommon for some variation in speech and language skills among children of the same age. However, if you have concerns about your child's speech and language development, it's important to trust your instincts and seek guidance from a qualified professional.


A speech-language pathologist at Connect Therapy can conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether your child could benefit from speech therapy services. Early intervention is key to addressing speech and language challenges effectively and supporting your child's overall communication skills.


Remember, as a parent, you play a crucial role in advocating for your child's needs and supporting their development every step of the way. You'll also play an integral role in their success in speech therapy. Connect Therapy deeply believes in collaborating with parents to provide support and guidance to help your child reach their full potential and thrive in their communication skills.


Call Connect Therapy for a complimentary consultation over the phone to learn more about how speech and language therapy can help your child.

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