Understanding the differences between speech and language therapy can be a task all in itself. Here’s a quick tutorial that can help you better understand and communicate your child’s challenges and the help that your speech therapist/pathologist is offering you both.
If your child has trouble pronouncing sounds in words that would come under the heading speech articulation.
Children might leave off sounds, or replace one sound for another. This is common in very young children as they learn to speak, but by 3 you should be able to understand most of what your child says. If you’d like to check your child’s articulation, take a look at this great chart! This isn’t a substitute for having your child screened by a professional speech pathologist, but it can help you see many of the different sounds children are trying to master, and some age ranges that are common for different articulation development.
Using words to communicate with others comes under the heading of language. Language includes vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure, as well as the unspoken rules of communication. Unspoken rules in American society include eye contact, taking turns when speaking, certain pauses, and knowing how a conversation flows from one topic to another. Children with autism particularly struggle with these unspoken rules.
Trouble with articulation, or language is common in children with developmental delays and special needs.
Does your child exhibit any of the following:
- Swallowing disorders
- Hearing impairment
- Weak muscles around the mouth
- Autism
- Breathing disorder
- Hoarseness
- Stuttering
- Drawing out of sounds
- Mixing, replacing or leaving out sounds in words
Having your child evaluated by a speech and language pathologist is a wonderful way to help them move forward. Let us know if we can help you and your child in their journey toward health and better communication.
You are the most important advocate your child has. You can make a huge difference, not only in their first years, but in all the ones to follow! If you have questions or concerns, contact our team at Carolina Pediatric Therapy, we’re here to help and make sure your little one reaches their full potential! Schedule an evaluation today, call us at 828-670-8056.
Speech and Language
Jenny Schermerhorn, Contributor
Carolina Pediatric Therapy © May 2014
