When to seek help from a speech pathologist
Many parents wonder if their child’s language and listening skills are developing normally. While every child develops their talking and listening skills at different rates, there is a general pattern to development. A speech pathologist is trained to assess all areas of speech and language to determine if there is a delay or disorder present.
Below are links to some websites where you can find great information:
Making mistakes is a normal part of learning. But you may need to seek help from a speech pathologist if:
- Family members are concerned about your child’s speech or language - its never too early
- Your child is frustrated trying to communicate
- Your child is having difficulty understanding what is said to him/her, or following instructions
- Your child is not using single words by 18 months of age
- Your child is not using 2 word sentences at 2½ years of age
- Your child’s speech is difficult to understand at 3 years of age
- Your child’s speech is nasal or husky
- Your child’s speech is hesitant or dysfluent
- Your child is experiencing difficulty learning to read
- Teachers are concerned about your child's development
- Your child is in kindergarten and has trouble rhyming words, playing I spy games , remembering his letter/sounds/; slow progress learning sight words
- Your child's reading is below class expectations
- Your child can read but does not seem to understand
- Your child's spelling is below class expectations
- Your child sentences/paragraphing/punctuation is poorly developed
- Your teenager cannot write essays