Speech Therapy

Speech Sound Disorders

• Speech sound disorders occur when a child has difficulty producing speech sounds correctly, which may affect how easily they are understood by others.

• Children with speech sound disorders may leave out sounds (saying "nana" for "banana"), substitute one sound for another (like "wabbit" for "rabbit"), or distort sounds.

• It’s normal for young children to make speech errors, but if your child’s speech is difficult to understand after age 3 or errors persist beyond developmental milestones, it’s a good idea to consult a speech therapist.

• These can be due to various factors, including hearing loss, developmental delays, oral structure issues (like a cleft palate), or no identifiable cause at all.

• Speech therapists can assess your child’s needs and create a tailored plan to help them improve their speech clarity, often through fun, play-based activities designed to build confidence and skills.

Social Delays/Disorders

• Social communication delays/disorders affect a child’s ability to use language and communication skills in social situations, such as taking turns in conversation, understanding body language, or knowing how to greet others.

• Children with social delays may struggle with making eye contact, starting or maintaining conversations, understanding jokes or sarcasm, or knowing how to respond appropriately in social settings.

• Speech therapists use interactive, play-based approaches to teach social skills like conversation skills, interpreting nonverbal cues, and problem-solving in group settings.

• With guidance, children can improve their confidence, form meaningful relationships, and thrive in social environments like school and extracurricular activities.

Feeding Disorders

• Sensory feeding disorders occur when a child has strong reactions to certain food textures, tastes, smells, or appearances, leading to picky eating or refusal to eat a variety of foods.

• Children with sensory feeding challenges may gag, cry, or refuse foods based on texture (e.g., crunchy or mushy), eat only a few preferred foods, or avoid entire food groups like fruits or vegetables.

• Speech therapists work with children to gradually explore and accept new foods in a fun, low-pressure way. They use sensory play, food exploration, and strategies to improve oral motor skills.

• With the right support, even the pickiest eaters can expand their diet, feel more comfortable trying new foods, and develop a positive relationship with eating.

Fluency (Stuttering) Disorders

• Fluency disorders, such as stuttering or cluttering, impact the smoothness and rhythm of speech, making it difficult for a person to communicate clearly and confidently.

• Children with fluency disorders may repeat sounds, syllables, or words (e.g., “I-I-I want that”), stretch out sounds (e.g., “Ssssssome”), or experience pauses or blocks where no sound comes out.

• If your child’s speech disruptions last longer than 6 months, are causing frustration or embarrassment, or impact their participation in daily activities, a speech therapist can help.

• Speech therapists use individualized strategies to help children manage their speech, reduce tension, and build confidence in communication. They also provide support for families to create a positive speaking environment.

• With early intervention and the right techniques, children with fluency disorders can improve their communication skills and feel more confident sharing their thoughts and ideas.

Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC)

• AAC includes a range of methods and tools designed to help individuals who have difficulty speaking to communicate effectively. It can be used by people with conditions like autism, cerebral palsy, or neurological disorders.

• If your child has limited speech, struggles to make themselves understood, or has difficulty using verbal language for social interactions, AAC can offer an alternative way to express needs, thoughts, and emotions.

• If your child is not meeting speech milestones or is frustrated by their inability to communicate, AAC can be introduced at any age to provide more effective ways of communication.

• Speech therapists assess your child’s needs and help choose the right AAC system. They also work on teaching how to use AAC tools effectively, so your child can engage in conversations, ask questions, and express their ideas confidently.

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)

• CAS is a motor speech disorder where the brain has difficulty planning and coordinating the precise movements needed for speech, despite the muscles being physically capable. This leads to challenges in pronouncing words correctly.

• Children with CAS may have difficulty pronouncing sounds, syllables, and words, often making inconsistent errors. They might leave out sounds, make sound substitutions, or have difficulty with long words and multisyllabic words (e.g., saying "puh-puh-puh" instead of "puzzle").

• Speech therapists use specialized techniques like repetition, motor planning exercises, and visual cues to help children learn how to correctly produce sounds and words. Therapy is often highly individualized and targets the child’s specific needs.

• Children with CAS can make significant improvements in their speech with targeted therapy, leading to clearer speech, greater communication confidence, and more effective social interactions.