1. What can I do to enhance my child's language skills?
A baby begins to communicate the moment he arrives in this world. Talk to your child from the minute he is born and as he gets older, encourage him to talk to you. Read and sing to your child daily. As you model speech, you are teaching him language. Be a good role model.
2. My 2 yr. old doesn't talk. Should I be concerned?
Yes. The average 24 month old toddler has approximately 60-300 words in her vocabulary. If your child is not talking at 2, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor or a certified Speech and Language Pathologist. Appropriate testing can rule out hearing problems or speech delay.
3. My 3 yr. old is stuttering. What should I do?
You should exercise patience and refrain from trying to correct her. Many children go through a period of normal disfluencies partly because their speech isn't keeping up with their thoughts. Putting pressure on your child will only make it worse. Refrain from statements such as "slow down" or "start over". If it continues over a period of time, you may want to see a Speech and Language Pathologist.
4. How long does therapy last?
The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the problem. Some children receive Speech for several months while others may continue for several years.
5. Shouldn't therapy wait until she starts school?
If your child has been diagnosed with a specific speech disorder, you should begin therapy as soon as possible. Early intervention is always highly recommended. Some can be remediated before they start kindergarten. Getting your child in a good program will boost her self esteem and may eliminate future problems.
6. Why isn't my son learning to talk as fast as his sister did?
Just as birth order can affect language acquisition, so can gender. On the average, girls learn to talk earlier than boys. While inborn differences may be a factor, daughters tend to receive more verbalizations from their parents.
7. My older child is in Speech. Does this mean my others will need Speech too?
Birth order may also affect language acquisition. The first child may receive more stimulation and talk earlier than the others. Second and third children may speak later as older siblings speak for them. On the other hand, a younger child may receive extra stimulation and learn skills earlier. Each child is unique and should be observed in that way.
8. Don't you think he'll grow out of it?
Although many children learn to correct their speech errors on their own, some will not. A trained certified Speech and Language Pathologist can evaluate your child and decide if her errors are age appropriate or if his speech is delayed.
9. What is Speech Therapy like? I'm afraid my daughter won't like it.
Speech Therapy is designed to give children positive environments and teach them good communication skills. Younger children may attend a more "play-like" setting while older children may enjoy "games". Most children enjoy coming to Speech!
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