Children

When to see a Speech Pathologist

Are you concerned about your child’s speech development?
Is he/she difficult to understand? Are some sounds particularly challenging?
Are other people and children having a hard time understanding your child? (depending on the child’s age, this could be very normal).
Are you concerned about how well your child is hearing or processing sounds?
Are you concerned that your child is not remembering what he or she just heard?
Are you concerned that your child is having difficulty understanding instruction in the classroom?
Is your child not talking or not talking as much as you think he/she should?
Is your child getting overly frustrated trying to communicate his/her wants and needs?
Are you noticing behavioral issues because your child is trying so hard to communicate and can’t seem to find a way to do so effectively?
Does your child not play like other toddlers or children?
Does your child prefer to play alone?
Do you feel like you need some pointers to help make your playtime more fun and effective?
Does it seem like your child is having a hard time making and maintaining friendships?
Is your child having a hard time reading and/or understanding what he or she just read?
Does your child have a hard time sequencing events and telling stories?
Is you child having a hard time organizing his or her thoughts to effectively tell you about an event?
Is your child a messy eater? Does she/he drool?

If you have any concerns like the ones above, get in touch with us!

Speech Delays

The order in which children learn speech sounds and language is predictable. Most children follow the same pattern of development. When a child is developing speech and language skills in the typical order but is doing so at a slower pace, a speech and or language delay is present.

Not saying their first words by the age of 12 months.
Not forming simple sentences by age 2
Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly
May affect both expressive and receptive language.
Can be caused by issues with articulation or motor coordination, hearing impairments, developmental disorders like autism, or physical issues affecting the mouth or vocal cords.

Expressive Language

defined as the words children use to express themselves- not be confused with speech.

What are some indications there may be an expressive language delay or disorder?

Only uses a few words
Uses gestures more than words
Difficulty with syntax (word order)
Does not engage in conversation
Difficulty labeling, requesting- unable to come up with the name (word finding)
Behavioral issues- may ‘go with the flow’ (good child) or act out due to difficulty expressing self

Difficulty formulating a thought, question
Minimal commenting on activities throughout the day
Little verbal interaction with peers
Refers to self by own name rather than use age appropriate pronoun
Uses non-specific words including ‘that’, ‘over there’, ‘this one’

Receptive Language

defined as the ability to decode words and know what they mean

What are some indications there may be a receptive language delay or disorder?

Difficulty following directives (one step, two step, related, unrelated)
Asks “what” often after being given a directive or asked a question (auditory processing)
Often mistaken for the child who does not want to listen
When given a directive with multiple steps may only be able to complete one or the other not the entire directive
Difficulty identifying age appropriate common items, actions, prepositions, pronouns, as well as pre-academic skills

Answers “wh” questions inconsistently and/or incorrectly
May repeat what is said to them
Behavioral issues- may seem to be doing his ‘own’ thing, zone out or appear to not pay attention to activities such as a book, circle time
Does not engage in conversation
Short attention or easily distracted (auditory processing)
Slow response to questions

Feeding and swallowing disorders

Did you know that it is estimated that pediatric feeding disorders affect 1 in 37 children under the age of 5?

Hope Speech Pathology’s feeding program specializes in helping infants through school aged children with feeding and swallowing disorders.

Some children have swallowing problems, or dysphagia (dis-FAY-juh). Swallowing happens in three stages, or phases. A child can have a problem in one or more of these phases. They include:

Oral phase

sucking, chewing, and moving food or liquid into the throat. Feeding is a part of the oral phase.

Pharyngeal phase

starting the swallow and squeezing food down the throat. The child needs to close off his airway to keep food or liquid out. Food going into the airway can cause coughing and choking.

Esophageal phase

opening and closing the esophagus, or the tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. The esophagus squeezes food down to the stomach. Food can get stuck in the esophagus. Or, a child may throw up a lot if there is a problem with the esophagus.

Your child may have a feeding or swallowing disorder if he/she:

Difficulty transitioning to solid food
Food Selectivity/ “ picky eating”
Arches their back or stiffens when feeding
Cries or fusses when feeding
Falls asleep when feeding
Has/had problems breastfeeding
Has trouble breathing while eating and drinking
Refuses to eat or drink
Eats only certain textures, such as soft food or crunchy food
Takes a long time to eat
Has problems chewing
Coughs or gags during meals
Drools or has liquid come out her mouth or nose
Oral sensitivity
Has a gurgly, hoarse, or breathy voice during or after meals
Spits up or throws up a lot
Is not gaining weight or growing
Lack of oral experiences ( feeding tube)

If your child is facing challenges with speech, language, swallowing, or feeding, reach out to us for support. We’re here to help improve their communication and overall well-being.

Children

When to see a Speech Pathologist

If you have any concerns like the ones above, get in touch with us!

Speech Delays

Expressive Language

What are some indications there may be an expressive language delay or disorder?

Receptive Language

What are some indications there may be a receptive language delay or disorder?

Feeding and swallowing disorders

Your child may have a feeding or swallowing disorder if he/she:

If your child is facing challenges with speech, language, swallowing, or feeding, reach out to us for support. We’re here to help improve their communication and overall well-being.

We’re Here When You’re Ready.

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